Emile Barnes
Encyclopedia
Emile Barnes was a New Orleans jazz
clarinet
ist.
Barnes studied under Lorenzo Tio Jr., Alphonse Picou
, George Baquet
, and Big Eye Nelson. Active professionally in New Orleans by 1908, he was long well regarded locally for his bluesy and distinctively individualistic style. He played with the Chris Kelly
band in from the late 1910s through the 1920s. Barnes did not become widely known to jazz fans outside of New Orleans until he made recordings during the revival era for American Music Records
. He performed at Preservation Hall
in his later years. In the 1930s he played with Wooden Joe Nicholas
, and in the 1940s with Kid Howard
. Barnes was featured on several Folkways Records
New Orlean's compilation albums during the 1950s, and again in the early 60s as a solo artist.
Emile Barnes' younger brother Paul "Polo" Barnes
was also a noted professional clarinetist.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
ist.
Barnes studied under Lorenzo Tio Jr., Alphonse Picou
Alphonse Picou
Alphonse Floristan Picou was an important very early jazz clarinetist who also wrote and arranged music....
, George Baquet
George Baquet
George Baquet was an American jazz clarinetist, known for his contributions to early jazz in New Orleans.His father, Theogene Baquet, was also a clarinetist, as were his brothers, Achille and Harold...
, and Big Eye Nelson. Active professionally in New Orleans by 1908, he was long well regarded locally for his bluesy and distinctively individualistic style. He played with the Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He is an alternate captain for the Bruins during away games.- Minor Hockey :...
band in from the late 1910s through the 1920s. Barnes did not become widely known to jazz fans outside of New Orleans until he made recordings during the revival era for American Music Records
American Music Records
American Music Records is a United States-based record label specializing in traditional New Orleans jazz.The label was founded by William Russell in 1944, who ran the label almost entirely by himself for most of his life...
. He performed at Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is a noted jazz performance hall located at 726 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It hosts nightly concerts featuring a rotating roster of bands. The bands of Preservation Hall typically perform jazz in the New Orleans style.Despite the fame of the...
in his later years. In the 1930s he played with Wooden Joe Nicholas
Wooden Joe Nicholas
Wooden Joe Nicholas was an American jazz trumpeter and cornetist, active on the early New Orleans jazz scene. He was born in New Orleans....
, and in the 1940s with Kid Howard
Kid Howard
Avery "Kid" Howard was an American jazz trumpeter associated with the New Orleans jazz scene....
. Barnes was featured on several Folkways Records
Folkways Records
Folkways Records was a record label founded by Moses Asch that documented folk, world, and children's music. It was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1987, and is now part of Smithsonian Folkways.-History:...
New Orlean's compilation albums during the 1950s, and again in the early 60s as a solo artist.
Emile Barnes' younger brother Paul "Polo" Barnes
Polo Barnes
Paul D. "Polo" Barnes was an American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist. He was the brother of Emile Barnes and was a mainstay of the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920s and 1930s....
was also a noted professional clarinetist.