Barnes was a jazz saxophonist and Army veteran from Detroit. As a child, he developed a love of music from his uncles, who taught him to play a number of musical instruments, including the saxophone and flute.  In 1967, after graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and received further musical training from the Naval School of Music.  Upon completion of the school, he was deployed to Vietnam as part of the 4th Division Army Band. After receiving an honorable discharge in February 1970, Barnes returned to Detroit where he put together a band named The Blackbyrds. Barnes wrote two of their award-winning songs, “Summer Love” and “Walking in Rhythm,” before forming Allan Barnes and Primetime. Throughout his life, he worked with many well-known artists and penned music for a number of television shows and commercials. He also created the show “Jazzland” on PBS.

Jazz artist Allan Barnes playing the flute

Great Lakes National Cemetery

Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Allan C. Barnes was born Sept 27th, 1949 in Detroit, MI.  During his childhood, he developed a love of music from his Uncles and began to learn to play a number of woodwind instruments from them.  In 1967, after graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Army and received further musical training at the Army's element of the US Naval School of Music.  After completion of the school, he was deployed to South Vietnam as part of the 4th Army Division Band where he attained the rank of Private First Class.  After being honorably discharged in February of 1970, Barnes returned to Detroit where he, along with trumpeter Donald Byrd, put together a new band "The Blackbyrds".  Barnes wrote two of the award winning songs, "Summer Love" and "Walking in Rhythm" while a part of this group.  Following the breakup of the Blackbyrds, Barnes formed his own band "Allan Barnes and Primetime".  He continued to record with, and write music for many well known artists along with penning music for a number of commercials.  Later, he created and hosted a show on PBS documenting other famous Jazz musicians "Jazzland" and continued performing and writing until shortly before his passing on Jul 25th, 2016.

ALLAN CURTIS BARNES

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