George Barnes

George Barnes (July 17, 1921 – September 5, 1977) was an American swing jazz guitarist born in South Chicago Heights, Illinois. He began performing professionally at age 12 after receiving his musicians' union card, touring the Midwest and accompanying blues artists including Big Bill Broonzy and Blind John Davis. In 1938, he recorded with Broonzy on what are often cited as the first commercial recordings featuring electric guitar. Later that year, he became a staff musician for the NBC orchestra and appeared on radio programs such as National Barn Dance. In the 1940s and 1950s, Barnes worked as a recording artist and studio musician in Chicago and New York, including work on Your Hit Parade. He performed on numerous pop, R&B, and jazz recordings and released albums under his own name, including collaborations with Carl Kress and later Bucky Pizzarelli. From the 1970s, he recorded for Concord Jazz, both as a leader and with Ruby Braff. Barnes died in Concord, California, in 1977 at age 56.