Peaceful Warriors Project

Edward Barnes is the project director of the Allan C. Barnes Peaceful Warriors Project. Ed is a Navy Veteran. He enlisted for the opportunity to see the world.  He became  a Hospital Corpsman to help the greatest number of people in the service and after his career in the military was over.  Ed served at the  U.S. Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.  Ed continued to serve his community after his service. He is the CEO of the Allan Barnes Music Organization which gives kids scholarships and grants. 

" My father, Allan Barnes, after he passed, we revisited some of the places where he had been teaching. He had been volunteering his time, teaching the kids in southwest Detroit how to play different instruments. He also had students that he taught and brought to Bakers Keyboard Lounge to not only observe but to set in when my Dad was performing.  My siblings and I thought it would be a good thing to help keep my father's legacy alive by starting the Allan Barnes Music Organization and awarding scholarships and grants to young people who wanted to purse music in school but needed financial help. " ~ U.S. Navy Veteran Edward Barnes

The Peaceful Warriors Project shares the music of U.S. Veterans. Our PWP co-founder and Vietnam Veteran, the late Allan Barnes founded the Peaceful Warriors Band to celebrate the music of Veterans like Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Irving Berlin, Henry Mancini, Donald Byrd and many others. That tradition is continued and led by original band member Rayse Biggs. The Allan C. Barnes Peaceful Warriors Foundation Music Project also provides grants for music students in High School and College through the Allan Barnes Music Organization. 

"Being a professional musician I have come to understand the value of experience. After leaving high school I enlisted in the United States Army. After my basic training I was assigned to the Naval School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. As I reflect, the training was intense and thorough. I now realize how much I benefited from this experience. After being discharged, my good fortune landed me at Howard University where a Peaceful Warrior by the name of Donald Byrd took me under his wing. My point is that we have Peaceful Warriors returning home with skills and experiences that can and will be a valuable asset to our communities, once given the chance to express their talents and expertise. We encourage anyone in the need of human resources or staffing of any kind where teamwork is valued, to seek out a veteran, a Peaceful Warrior. As we celebrate musicians who have served in the military and have gone on to contribute greatly to the musical culture, think of how a skilled, creative military veteran with experience and a college education could work on your team. You deserve a Peaceful Warrior. Join me in my Peaceful Warriors Project where we celebrate music's military veterans and promote veteran awareness." ~ Allan Barnes.