Member of Barney Wilen Quartet →|formerly Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Barney Wilen was a French saxophonist and composer known for his contributions to the jazz genre. Born in Nice, his career gained momentum in 1957 when he collaborated with Miles Davis on the soundtrack for the film "Ascenseur pour l'échafaud". In 1959, he released the album "Jazz sur Seine" with Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke. During the 1960s, Wilen experimented with avant-garde jazz, releasing "Auto Jazz" in 1968. In the 1970s, he incorporated African musical elements into his work, resulting in the 1972 album "Moshi". Wilen continued recording and performing until his death in 1996.
