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Bootsie Barnes

Robert "Bootsie" Barnes (November 27, 1937 – April 22, 2020)[1] was an American jazz tenor saxophonist from Philadelphia.

Bootsie Barnes
Birth nameRobert Manuel Barnes
Born(1937-11-27)November 27, 1937
OriginNorth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 22, 2020(2020-04-22) (aged 82)
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresJazz
InstrumentsTenor saxophone

Early life and education

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Barnes was raised in a housing project in North Philadelphia. His father was a trumpet player who performed with Bill Doggett and Frank Fairfax. His mother worked as a housekeeper. Barnes had three older brothers. His uncle, Jimmy Hamilton, was a jazz clarinetist and saxophonist. Barnes initially intended to become a drummer after being given a pair of drumsticks by Sonny Greer during a visit to the Earle Theatre. He played drums at Benjamin Franklin High School before switching to saxophone.[1]

Career

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In the 1950s, Barnes played with various musicians in Philadelphia, including Lee Morgan, Philly Joe Jones and Bill Cosby (then a drummer).[2]

During the 1960s, he performed with various organists including Jimmy Smith and Don Patterson,[2] with whom he recorded in 1978.[3] In the 1980s, he toured with Sonny Stitt. He continued to play in his home town and recorded his album You Leave Me Breathless! in 1995.[4]

Barnes was elected as the youngest-ever assistant secretary of Philadelphia's Local 274 of the American Federation of Musicians, serving from 1969 to 1971.[5]

In an article for Patch, Kim Tucker wrote, "Barnes has toured the world performing the music he loves, jazz in places like St. Croix US Virgin Islands, to Europe and back home to Philadelphia. From the "Chitlin Circuit" to the infamous New Jersey clubs: Dreamland, Cotton Club, Loretta's High Hat, Club Harlem. Barnes has taken the stage at Philly's Blue Note, Just Jazz, Red Carpet, The Showboat and Pep's too."[6]

Personal life

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Barnes died from COVID-19 at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, on April 22, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was 82.[7][8]

Barnes' grandson Reginald Lewis has followed in his footsteps as a jazz saxophonist and educator. As of 2022, Lewis is director of Jazz and assistant professor in the School of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University.[9][10] He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in 2023 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; his thesis was a study of Barnes and his influence on the Philadelphia jazz community.[11]

Discography

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As a leader

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  • Been Here All Along – Bootsie Barnes Quartet (Way After Midnight, 1984)
  • You Leave Me Breathless – Bootsie Barnes Quartet (French Riviera, 2001)[12]
  • Hello - Bootsie Barnes Quartet (French Riviera, 2003)
  • Boppin' Round the Center – Bootsie Barnes Quintet (Harvest, 2004)
  • The More I See You – Bootsie Barnes & Larry McKenna (Cellar Live, 2018)[13]

As a sideman

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  • Looking Up - Cullen Knight (Tree Top, 1978)
  • Why Not... - Don Patterson (Muse, 1978)
  • Here to Create Music - Gamble/Huff (Philadelphia International, 1980)
  • The Saxophone Shop - The Odean Pope Saxophone Choir (Soul Note, 1985)
  • John Swana Quintet - Introducing John Swana (Criss Cross, 1991)
  • Epitome - Odean Pope Saxophone Choir (Soul Note, 1993)
  • Comin' Home - Poppa John DeFrancesco (Muse, 1994)
  • All in the Family - Poppa John & Joey DeFrancesco (Muse, 1998)
  • Live at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus - Various Artists (Encounter, 2000)
  • Hip Cake Walk - Poppa John & Joey DeFrancesco (HighNote, 2001)
  • Philly Gumbo - John Swana (Criss Cross, 2001)
  • Open the Gates - Kenny Gates (Independent, 2003)
  • To Joe With Love - Juanita Holliday (Rhombus, 2003)
  • Shelf-Life - Uri Caine (Winter & Winter, 2005)
  • Philly Gumbo, Vol.2 - John Swana and The Philadelphians (Criss Cross, 2005)
  • I Got Up! - Chad Carter (Jkbj, 2009)

Awards and honors

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  • Urban League Guild of Philadelphia - Marjorie Dockery volunteer award[5]
  • Greater Jamaica Development Award, New York[5]
  • Camden County Living Legend Award[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Chinen, Nate (April 24, 2020). "Bootsie Barnes, Saxophonist and Cornerstone of Philadelphia Jazz, Dies of COVID-19 at 82". WBGO. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Henderson, Alex. "Robert "Bootsie" Barnes: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  3. ^ "Why Not". AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  4. ^ Henderson, Alex. "You Leave Me Breathless: Review". AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d Hill, Chanel (April 24, 2020). "Bootsie Barnes, legendary Philadelphia jazz saxophonist, dies at 82". Philadelphia Tribune. p. Obituaries section.
  6. ^ Tucker, Kim (June 2019). "Jazz in the Park with saxophonist, Bootsie Barnes". Patch.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "Bootsie Barnes, legendary Philadelphia Jazz saxophonist, dies at 82". PhillyTrib.com. April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "Bootsie Barnes, Philadelphia tenor sax great, has died of coronavirus at 82". inquirer.com. April 23, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  9. ^ "Reginald Lewis". Illinois Wesleyan University. n.d. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  10. ^ Denison, Brendan (February 1, 2024). "Music masters to mold hundreds of students at Wesleyan jazz fest". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, Illinois. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  11. ^ Lewis, Reginald (2023). Robert "Bootsie" Barnes, a Philadelphia jazz legend: When the influenced becomes the influence (DMA thesis). University of Illinois Library. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  12. ^ Nathan, Dave (July 1, 2001). "Robert "Bootsie" Barnes Quartet/Robert "Bootsie" Barnes Sextet: You Leave Me Breathless!/Hello". All About Jazz. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  13. ^ Bowers, Jack (November 29, 2018). "Bootsie Barnes & Larry McKenna: The More I See You". All About Jazz. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
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