Barney Wilen (1937–1996) was a French jazz saxophonist celebrated for his lyrical tone and adventurous spirit. Emerging in the 1950s Paris jazz scene, he gained early acclaim performing with Miles Davis on the *Ascenseur pour l’échafaud* soundtrack and alongside Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk. Wilen’s work ranged from cool jazz to free improvisation, often blending cinematic sensibility with emotional depth. His later projects, including *French Ballads* and *New Jungle Orchestra*, showcased his enduring creativity and established him as one of Europe’s most distinctive jazz voices.