Jazz Articles about George Barnes

George Barnes Quartet: Don

by C. Michael Bailey
May 1, 2003

One cannot help experiencing the warmth and friendliness of this recording. Session guitarist George Barnes could not seem more real than when he bantered with the crowd at the Concord, California's Willows Theater in the Summer of 1977. Don’t Get Around Much Any More was to be Mr. Barnes’ last recording, as he died from a heart attack a mere two weeks later. Warmth and friendliness, I suspect that this is what Acoustic Disc founder David Grisman strove for when ...

George Barnes: The Complete Standard Transcriptions

by Craig Jolley
August 1, 2001

Jazz guitarist George Barnes made his reputation playing in a variety of formats--guitar duets with Karl Kress and others, a memorable quartet with Ruby Braff, solo guitarist, and pick-up bands. His chamber music octet of the late 40's combined elements of light classical music, 1930's novelty music, and Lester Young-inspired small band swing. John Kirby, Alec Wilder (octets), and Raymond Scott created music in a similar vein. Of the four the Barnes octet undeservedly remains the least known.

Barnes' writing ...