Alan Barnes is an English jazz musician and saxophonist from Altrincham, United Kingdom. Born in 1959, he works mainly in jazz and has a long career in British jazz, both as a band member and as a sideman.

Career

At the start of the 1980s, Barnes plays with The Pasadena Roof Orchestra. He becomes better known from 1983 to 1986 as part of Tommy Chase’s hard-bop group. He then joins The Jazz Renegades and records several albums with co-founder Steve White before moving to the Humphrey Lyttleton Big Band.

He also builds a wide sideman and session career, playing with various big bands and recording and touring with Bryan Ferry. After his time with the Humphrey Lyttleton Big Band, he continues in a varied career and also appears in a Cannonball Adderley tribute band with Don Weller.

Recording work

Barnes releases his first album, Affiliation, with his own quartet in 1987. He is associated with Woodville Records and has played in a number of ensembles including Innerzone Orchestra, The Skirmishers, the Alan Barnes Septet, the New York City All-Star Big Band and The Buck Clayton Legacy Band. He also works with Warren Vaché and Tony Coe.

Public recognition

Although widely known in British jazz circles, Barnes is also recognised for playing the solo saxophone line on an advertising campaign for Tetley Bitter.