Bootsie Barnes

Premier jazz saxophonist Robert “Bootsie” Barnes has been proclaimed a Philadelphia treasure.

“Bootsie” began his musical career at age 6 on piano switching to drums at 10. His grandmother gave him a saxophone at age 19 and he knew he had found his niche. In school, classmates included drummers, Lex Humphries, Bill Cosby, Al “Tootie” Heath; bassist “Spanky” DeBrest, trumpeter Lee Morgan, and a host of Philadelphia giants who went on to help shape the maturing sound of jazz music. Those who had the biggest influence on him were his father, who played trumpet with Bill Doggett’s 16 piece big band, and his cousin Jimmy Hamilton, saxophonist and star clarinetist of Duke Ellington’s band for 26 years.

In the 60’s and early 70’s Bootsie played the renowned “Chitterling Circuit” which included clubs such as South Jersey’s Dreamland, Cotton Club, Laurettas’ Hi Hat, Pearl’s Celebrity Room and Over the Top. His highly articulated tenor style also graced Atlantic City’s Club Harlem and The Wonder Garden. A few of the legendary Philly clubs at which he performed include The Aqua Lounge, Just Jazz, The Blue Note, Nite Cap, The Showboat and Pep’s. Worked with Big Bands of Sam Reed, Johnny Lynch's Club Harlem Band, Bennie Lyons, Lloyd Price's Big Band,(under the direction of the great Kenny Dorham.) and the Al Grey Little Big Band .

A significant accomplishment for Bootsie was being elected the Youngest ever Assistant Secretary of Philadelphia’s only Black Local #274 American Federation of Musician’s where he served from 1971-1974. This organization was a forerunner of today's Clef Club of the Performing Arts which was founded by the Late Former President of Local #274, JIMMY ADAMS.

Bootsie toured, performed and recorded with literally all the great organists including Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff, Charles Earland, Trudy Pitts, Poppa John and Joey DeFrancesco and others too numerous to name. In the late 1980’s, Bootsie toured with his childhood friend and classmate, Bill Cosby, and made guest appearances on “The Bill Cosby Show,” (playing himself) as well as many other television appearances. As recently as 2001 he toured with Cosby, playing the Playboy Jazz Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival.

Bootsie has toured Europe as well as the United States and Canada, leaving a lasting impression on audiences all over the world. He has headlined venues from New York’s famed Birdland to the very prestigious Le Grand Hotel in Paris. He has won numerous Jazz awards, such as the Marjorie Dockery Volunteer Award from the Urban League Guild of Philadelphia and New York’s Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Award, and is often listed within the Top Ten Jazz Picks.

John Swana: Philly Gumbo Vol.2

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 19, 2024

It seems like a lot of up and coming trumpeters these days go for the bop stylings of Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw as their main influence. Far fewer look to players like Art Farmer or Kenny Wheeler for inspiration. That's what has made watching the development of Philadelphia trumpet man John Swana so fascinating over the years. While he has the chops needed to communicate in the high-octane language of be-bop, his tone and use of space suggest that ...

Liner Notes

John Swana: Philly Gumbo

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 15, 2024

It seems like a case of the big fish swimming in a small pond. So while Philadelphia native John Swana currently chooses to make his home in the city of Brotherly Love, it's clearly evident that this world-class musician could succeed easily in the Big Apple, the undisputed center of jazz activity in America. Taking up the trumpet at the age of 11, Swana was hooked on jazz after one spin of a Dizzy Gillespie record. Lucky enough to get ...

Album Review

Bootsie Barnes & Larry McKenna: The More I See You

Read "The More I See You" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
November 29, 2018

What a genuine pleasure it is to hang loose and appreciate the warm and enticing sounds and impressive teamwork of Philadelphia tenor saxophone legends Bootsie Barnes and Larry McKenna, a couple of seasoned pros who blend together as smoothly as marmalade on toast. It has been said--more than once--that experience is the best teacher, that there's no substitute for experience, that--well, you get the idea. Between them, Barnes and McKenna have more than a century of musical experience at their ...

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Album Review

John Swana & The Philadelphians: Philly Gumbo Vol. 2

Read "Philly Gumbo Vol. 2" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
June 4, 2005

The sequel to a memorable 2001 release, Philly Gumbo Vol. 2 consists of pleasurable hard bop by John Swana and a band of mainstays from the fertile Philadelphia jazz scene. Despite the familiar stylistic trappings, the music stands up to repeat listening for several reasons. The original material (nine of ten tracks) transcends the tired, derivative tunes often written in homage to masters of the genre. Swana's compositions, especially “Sid's Dilemma, “Three Of A Kind, and “Quasimodo's Uncle, are catchy ...

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Album Review

Bootsie Barnes: Bootsie Barnes: Boppin' Round the Center

Read "Bootsie Barnes: Boppin' Round the Center" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer

by Victor L. Schermer
June 6, 2004

This CD featuring Bootsie Barnes and a group assembled for the occasion has one characteristic uncommon in an era of so-called 'smooth jazz,' rap singing, and canned music for every occasion from cinematically simulated inner city rumbles to drugs for erectile dysfunction. It really swings! It also 'bops around the center!' (I truly don't know what that means, but I like the phraseology. Forgive me for speculating, with a touch of humor, that it refers either to key changes or ...

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Album Review

Robert "Bootsie" Barnes Quartet/Robert "Bootsie" Barnes Sextet: You Leave Me Breathless!/Hello

Read "You Leave Me Breathless!/Hello" reviewed by Dave Nathan

by Dave Nathan
July 1, 2001

Robert “Bootsie" Barnes has been a fixture on the Philadelphia jazz scene for years. He has a steady gig at Philly's 23rd St. Café and over the years, has worked with a number of the many jazz stars that city has spawned. He also has an appearance on the Bill Cosby show to his credit. Although a graduate of the Coleman Hawkins school for tenor, Barnes' playing leans toward the soul-jazz style of Gene Ammons, Willis Gater Jackson and Houston ...

174

Album Review

John Swana and The Philadelphians: Philly Gumbo

Read "Philly Gumbo" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
July 1, 2001

During a decade long association with the Criss Cross imprint, John Swana has produced an impressive aggregate of achievement, 15 discs in all, as a leader or featured sideman. On his own records, Swana usually adheres to the label's practice of utilizing a select pool of New York area musicians, ranging from young firebrands like Eric Alexander and Chris Potter, to respected veterans such as Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller. For his latest release,Philly Gumbo, the trumpeter alters the pattern ...

Music Industry

Jazz musicians silenced by coronavirus, Chapter 2

Source: Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
April 23, 2020

Here is part two of our chronological listing of jazz-related COVID-19 deaths from the novel coronavirus, updated as we receive them. Our profound sympathies to their families, friends and fans as we remember the musical legacies they have given us. Tenor saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, a Philadelphia jazz legend, died April 22. He was 82. His many musical partners over the years included trumpeters Lee Morgan and John Swana, saxophonist Larry McKenna and drummers Tootie Heath, Philly Joe Jones and (childhood ...
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Event

2nd Annual Jazz Bridge Jazz Cruise Set For Saturday, June 11th from 1:30 to 4:30pm

Source: All About Jazz
June 5, 2016

Ahoy Mates! Get yer swagger on an' try out some o' yer pirate ramble. Better yet, please join Jazz Bridge as we set sail on the Elite Yacht for our 2nd Annual Jazz Bridge Jazz Cruise. Join us on Saturday, June 11 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM where you will enjoy “world class jazz” provided by the Bootsie Barnes Organ band, featuring trombonist John Swana, organist Dan Kuralnick and drummer Duck Scott. Michael Ricci of All About Jazz and Jazz ...
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Performance / Tour

The Jazz Bridge "Jazz At The Library,” Third Thursday Concert Series In Willingboro, NJ Presents Bootsie Barnes

Source: Bruce Klauber
October 20, 2014

The Jazz Bridge “Jazz at the Library,” Third Thursday Concert Series presents saxophonist Bootsie Barnes at the Willingboro Library—220 Willingboro Way in Willingboro Township—on Thursday, December 18. Tickets are $10, $5 for students One show starts at 7:30 p.m. Information: 215-517-8337. Robert “Bootsie” Barnes embodies the spirit and the tradition—past, present and future—of everything that was and is Philadelphia jazz. There likely isn’t a jazz giant who this multi-award-winning tenor saxophonist has not played with. He’s toured the world with ...
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Event

Jazz Bridge Second Wednesdays Concert Series In Center City Presents "Bootsie" Barnes

Source: Bruce Klauber
December 20, 2013

The Jazz Bridge second Wednesdays, Neighborhood Concerts Series at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion Chestnut Street in Center City Philadelphia—presents saxophonist Bootsie Barnes on Wednesday, January 8. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., tickets are $10/$5 for students, and are only available at the door. For info: 215-517-8337. Robert “Bootsie” Barnes embodies the spirit and the tradition—past, present and future—of everything that was and is Philadelphia jazz. There likely isn’t a jazz giant who this multi award-winning tenor saxophonist has ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz Bridge Presents Bootsie Barnes at the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church on Thursday January 13th

Source: Suzanne Cloud
December 28, 2010

Appearing at the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church on Thursday January 13th, 13 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave in Germantown (Philadelphia, PA) will be saxophonist Bootsie Barnes and his band: Duane Eubanks, Lucas Brown, and Byron Landham. $10/$5 for students. One show only. Starts 7:30 p.m. Free refreshments and a Free CD will be given to each person attending! Barnes made his name in the 1960s playing renowned clubs in the area, including South Jersey's Crossing Inn, Dreamland, Cotton Club, Loretta's High ...
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Event