Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Clarinet
B.S. in Music Education; B.Mus. in Music Performance; M.M. in Saxophone/Woodwind Performance from Minnesota State University; D.M.A., University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
Award winning baritone saxophonist, woodwind specialist, and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Barnett has performed across the U.S. at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Lollapalooza. He has been a featured soloist with symphony orchestras, jazz big bands, concert wind ensembles, and internationally touring rock groups. Adrian also leads his own jazz/fusion/ funk group (“The Questet”) which is comprised of a rotating cast of musicians.
Adrian has shared the stage with Alma Afrobeat Ensemble (Barcelona, Spain), BeBe Smith, Dave Barnes, Wayne Bergeron, Jeff Coffin, Pete Christlieb, Denis DiBlasio, Dynamo, Everyone Orchestra, Escort, Tom Garling, Kirk Garrison, Nachito Herrera, The Hornheads, The Jack Brass Band, JazzMN, Moe, Kevin Mahogany, Andy Martin, Chip McNeill, Nashville Composer Collective, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Jim Snidero, Spoon, Sun Stereo, The Temptations, Fred Wesley, Glenn Wilson, Jim Widner, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, and many more.
Adrian earned a B.S. in Music Education (2006), a B.Mus. in Music Performance (2006), M.M. in Saxophone/Woodwind Performance (2008) from Minnesota State University, Mankato. After receiving his master’s, he returned to Minnesota State University, Mankato as part of the music faculty acting as Interim Director of Jazz Studies. Adrian then moved to Illinois to study with Chip McNeill and Glenn Wilson while completing the D.M.A. in Jazz Studies (2018) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2011 Adrian won a Downbeat Award in the Jazz Soloist category for his featured performance on the University of Illinois Concert Jazz Band’s album “Freeplay.”
Active not only as a performer, Adrian continues to be involved with music education. He has taught at every level, from beginning band students to advanced music majors. His students have gone on to participate in All-State Jazz and Concert Band ensembles, pursue music majors at universities, have successful careers as music educators, and perform professionally. His work in the music education field has also included directing small and large ensembles, composing music for a wide variety of groups and ensembles, adjudicating festivals, acting as assistant director and head percussion instructor for marching band organizations, and working with music programs throughout the nation as a guest artist and clinician. Alongside a steady performing and clinic schedule Adrian teaches saxophone and arranging at Tennessee State University, applied woodwind lessons at Nashville State Community College, and maintains a private woodwind lesson studio.
Adrian is a Yamaha Performing Artist, Vandoren Artist-Clinician, and Hercules Stands Artist.
