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David Taelon Vosges Barnes
David Taelon Vosges Barnes (professionally known as David TV Barnes) is an American saxophonist, horn section leader, horn arranger, and nationally recognized plus-size and big-and-tall male model. Based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and originally from Brooklyn, New York, Barnes has built a career spanning the music and fashion industries. He served as Horn Section Leader and Horn Arranger on the Grammy Award-winning recording 44/876 by Sting and Shaggy — awarded the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Year 2018 — recruited personally by Sting International, the management and production camp behind Shaggy, on the basis of a pre-existing professional relationship.[1][2][3]
Overview
David TV Barnes is recognized for his work as a horn section leader, horn arranger, and saxophonist across reggae, jazz, R&B, and gospel. Alongside his music career, he has achieved national recognition as a plus-size and big-and-tall male model, appearing at New York Fashion Week, in three national campaigns for Destination XL, and in editorial work with legendary GQ Creative Director Jim Moore. His work across two distinct professional disciplines — combined with his Grammy Award-winning recording credentials and IMDB listing — has established him as a notable multi-career figure in contemporary American entertainment.
Early Life and Background
David Taelon Vosges Barnes was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. From an early age, Barnes demonstrated a natural affinity for music, teaching himself to play the saxophone without formal instruction. He later relocated to the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.
Barnes began performing publicly while still a teenager. At the age of 18, he performed with the New York City All-City Marching Band at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, one of his earliest high-profile public engagements.
Music Career
Barnes works as a saxophonist, horn arranger, and live performer across multiple genres, with a style that moves fluidly between jazz, R&B, reggae, and gospel. He has served as Horn Section Leader and Horn Arranger on major label recordings and has shared the stage with internationally recognized artists.
Grammy Award-Winning Recording — Horn Section Leader & Horn Arranger
Barnes served as Horn Section Leader and Horn Arranger on the Grammy Award-winning recording 44/876, the collaborative studio album by Sting and Shaggy, released in 2018 on A&M/Interscope.[4] He was personally recruited by Sting International — the management and production camp behind Shaggy — not as a session player, but to assemble and lead the entire horn section for the album. This recruitment was based on a pre-existing working relationship: Barnes had opened for Shaggy as a live act circa 2016, and subsequently recorded with Shaggy in Shaggy's personal basement studio. The recording was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Year 2018. His credits are independently verified on AllMusic and Muso.ai.[5]
Second Sting International Credit — "African Warrior"
Beyond 44/876, Barnes holds a second documented professional credit within the Sting International orbit, having performed on "African Warrior" by Shaday, an artist affiliated with the Sting International camp. This second engagement establishes a pattern of repeat, high-level collaboration with one of reggae's most prominent management and production entities, and is verified on Muso.ai.[6]
Wynton Marsalis Endorsement
Jazz luminary Wynton Marsalis — Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and one of the most celebrated musicians of his generation — attended a performance by Barnes at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York City. Following the performance, Marsalis stated that Barnes was the best young saxophonist he had ever heard.
Notable Collaborations
Throughout his career, Barnes has shared the stage with a number of acclaimed and internationally recognized artists, including:
- Gladys Knight — Grammy Award-winning singer and member of Gladys Knight & the Pips
- Boyz II Men — Grammy Award-winning R&B vocal group
- Jimmy Cliff — Jamaican reggae icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
- Shaggy — Grammy Award-winning Jamaican-American dancehall and pop artist
- Donnie McClurkin — Gospel and R&B vocalist
- Beres Hammond — Jamaican roots reggae singer
- Elle Varner — R&B singer-songwriter
Performances and Endorsements
Barnes has performed at events associated with Macy's and Yamaha. He is endorsed by Theo Wanne (saxophone mouthpieces) and Reunion Blues (instrument accessories). His original music is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Fashion and Modeling
In parallel with his music career, Barnes has achieved national recognition as a plus-size and big-and-tall male model. He has walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, one of the most prestigious events on the global fashion calendar.
Barnes worked with Jim Moore, the longtime Creative Director of GQ magazine and one of the most influential figures in American menswear editorial. Following their initial engagement, Moore personally called Barnes back for three additional shoots — a repeat, high-trust relationship reflecting Barnes's standing in the fashion industry.
On the commercial side, Barnes has appeared in three national campaigns for Destination XL (DXL), one of the largest retailers of big and tall men's clothing in the United States, as well as campaigns for Brooklyn Cloth, a contemporary men's fashion brand.
Notable Achievements
- Grammy Award-Winning Recording — Horn Section Leader & Horn Arranger — Personally recruited by Sting International to assemble and lead the entire horn section on 44/876 by Sting and Shaggy; recording awarded Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Year 2018; verified on AllMusic and Muso.ai
- Second Sting International credit — "African Warrior" by Shaday; establishes repeat high-level collaboration pattern
- IMDB listing — Verified at IMDb
- GQ / Jim Moore — Worked with GQ Creative Director Jim Moore; personally called back for 3 additional shoots
- Wynton Marsalis endorsement — Commended as the best young saxophonist Marsalis had ever heard, following a performance at Gracie Mansion, New York City
- Shared stages with Gladys Knight, Boyz II Men, Jimmy Cliff, Shaggy, and Donnie McClurkin
- New York Fashion Week runway appearances
- Three national campaigns for Destination XL (DXL) and campaigns for Brooklyn Cloth
- Brand endorsements from Theo Wanne and Reunion Blues
- Performance with the New York City All-City Marching Band at Walt Disney World
- Performances at Macy's and Yamaha-sponsored events
Discography and Works
As Horn Section Leader and Horn Arranger
| Year | Recording | Artist(s) | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 44/876 | Sting and Shaggy | A&M/Interscope | Grammy Award-Winning Recording — Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Year 2018; Barnes served as Horn Section Leader and Horn Arranger |
| TBD | "African Warrior" | Shaday | Sting International | Second Sting International credit; verified on Muso.ai |
Original Music
Barnes releases original music as a solo artist, available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Recognition and Press
Barnes has received coverage from music and entertainment media. FreshOutOfTheBooth.com has featured Barnes, recognizing his skill as a saxophonist. Music critic TL Jones has reviewed his work, highlighting his artistry. Barnes is listed on IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11496346/) and Muso.ai, providing independent verification of his professional credits.
External Links
References
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