Barnabás von Géczy was born on March 4, 1897, in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. He studied violin at the Budapest Academy of Music under the tutelage of Jenő Hubay. After serving as concertmaster at the Budapest Opera, von Géczy left Hungary in 1922 due to economic challenges and worked as a violinist in Trondheim, Norway. By 1924, he had settled in Berlin, where he formed his own orchestra and became a prominent figure in European music.

From 1925 to 1937, von Géczy's orchestra was the house band at the Hotel Esplanade in Berlin, gaining widespread popularity. His preference for string instruments over reeds and brass made him a favorite in Nazi Germany, where he was awarded the title of "Professor" by Adolf Hitler in 1939. During the 1930s, his orchestra performed at the Berlin Volksbühne and on radio broadcasts.

After World War II, von Géczy was temporarily banned from performing. In 1952, he re-established his career in Munich, forming a new orchestra that played at the Café Luitpold. He continued to influence the salon music scene until his death on July 2, 1971, in Munich, West Germany. His legacy as a violin virtuoso and bandleader endures, with his arrangements continuing to be appreciated by audiences worldwide.