About Walter Barnes
Lived 1905 – 1940 (aged 34). Walter Barnes was an American bandleader, conductor, jazz musician, saxophonist and clarinetist.
Walter Barnes (July 8, 1895 – April 23, 1940) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader.
Early life and education Barnes was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi,
Barnes was one of the victims of the Rhythm Club fire in Natchez, Mississippi, on April 23, 1940. Barnes's death was repeatedly immortalized in song thereafter.
Jo Jones, drummer with the Count Basie Orchestra at the time, related in an interview how arrangements were made to hire one of Barnes' tenor saxophone players, to whom Jones only referred to by the nickname of "Pimpy," as a replacement for Herschel Evans, effective after completing one last tour with Barnes.
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Important facts
People in Walter Barnes's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Walter Barnes's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Walter Barnes?
American musician (1905-1940)
When was Walter Barnes born?
Walter Barnes was born on 8 July 1905 in Vicksburg.
When did Walter Barnes die?
Walter Barnes died on 23 April 1940 in Natchez.
What was Walter Barnes's occupation?
Walter Barnes was a bandleader, conductor, jazz musician, saxophonist and clarinetist.
What nationality was Walter Barnes?
Walter Barnes was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Walter Barnes (musician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Walter Barnes. https://biography.guide/walter-barnes-bandleader/
MLA: "Walter Barnes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/walter-barnes-bandleader/.
Chicago: "Walter Barnes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/walter-barnes-bandleader/.
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