Alan's versatility on all saxophones in addition to flute, clarinet and bass clarinet has seen him enjoying a prolific recording career. He has recorded albums with big band leaders Kenny Baker, Don Weller and Stan Tracy, as well as collaborating with the cream of London's best jazz players.

He is also in demand as a session player on pop albums with Bjork and Van Morrison, and on film and TV soundtracks.

Alan has dominated the British Jazz Awards having won the Alto section in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999, the clarinet award for 1994, 1996 and 1998, as well as being voted top Baritone player in 1998. In July 2001 he won the BBC Jazz award for Best Instrumentalist.

Alan Barnes was born in Cheshire in 1959. He studied at Leeds College of Music and became proficient on alto and baritone saxophones and clarinet.

Following graduation in 1980, Barnes led several groups, including Pizza Express Modern Jazz Sextet, and recorded with Dave Newton, Tony Coe, Ken Peplowski, and Warren Vaché.

He dominated the saxophone and clarinet section of the British jazz awards throughout the '90s and performs at major international jazz festivals. Barnes has also spent time teaching. - Al Campbell.