George Barnes Guitar Tab Books, Instruction DVDs, Solos, Arrangements, Transcriptions, Lessons

    George Barnes was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 17, 1921 and grew up in a household full of musicians. He began to play the guitar at 9 with his dad who was his very first instructor. Barnes was brought up in Chicago, a city that had actually become a main center of jazz music development. He said that his major musical heroes were Jimmy Noone (in whose band he played at the age of sixteen), Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong.

    As a youth George Barnes was associated with the great blues guitar player Lonnie Johnson who obviously had an influence him. He also listened to lots of records by the French gypsy jazz guitar player Django Reinhardt. At the age of 14 Barnes already had his own jazz quartet. He won a Tommy Dorsey Amateur Swing Contest when he was 16 and at the age of 17 was working on the Chicago NBC staff as guitarist, conductor, and arranger which was a genuinely amazing achievement for someone his age!

 George Barnes Plays "They Can't Take That Away From Me"

    During the 7 years preceding 1942 George Barnes was frequently showcased in recording sessions with many legendary folk and blues artists consisting of Big Bill Broonzy, Washboard Sam, and Blind John Davis. Upon leaving the army after the war, Barnes went back to a life which ended up becoming one of the busiest in jazz history. In 1951 he moved from Chicago to New York city. There his extraordinary musical abilities won him a job with Decca Records as arranger, guitarist, and writer.

    Because of his diverse musical skills, George Barnes was sought after for many years as a backing guitarist for leading singers and jazz artists including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Louis Armstrong. He made numerous historical jazz recordings with his own various quartets and quintets but his greatest contribution to jazz guitar history were his creative guitar duets with Carl Kress (and later on Bucky Pizzarelli after the death of Kress) as well as the quintet he led collectively with cornetist Ruby Braff.

 George Barnes Plays "Why Was I Born"

    Always a great individualist, George Barnes had a very unique sound on guitar partly due to his personally designed archtop jazz guitar constructed without the usual "F" sound holes. This instrument was made specifically for him by the Guild Guitar Company. He likewise utilized an unwound 3rd string which was unusual for a guitar player of his generation. In 1975 Barnes relocated to Concord, California. There he devoted his time to playing in jazz clubs, recording, and teaching till his death following a heart attack on September 5, 1977.

    George Barnes was the first guitarist to play and record on electric guitar even though Les Paul claimed that accomplishment for himself. This historical event was on a recording session led by blues guitarist Big Bill Broonzy that took place 15 days before Eddie Durham recorded on electric guitar with The Kansas City Five. George will forever have the unique distinction of being the guitarist who paved the way for all electric guitar players!

 George Barnes Plays "Lover Come Back To Me"

Jack Grassel - Jazz Guitar Favorites - Book and CD
Transcribed and performed by Jack Grassel. Includes: "When Sunny Gets Blue" -George Barnes, "All The Things You Are" -Hank Garland, "Speak Low" -Barney Kessel, "Oleo" -Pat Martino, "Yesterdays" -Wes Montgomery, "I Hear a Rhapsody" -Howard Roberts. Recorded at 2 speeds!
Notation and tab..........................................................Price - $19.95

The Huey Long Solo Guitar Collection