Emanuel Sayles

Emanuel Rene Sayles was born in Donaldson, Louisiana where he studied violin and viola. After later teaching himself banjo and guitar, he and moved to New Orleans to play with William Ridgeley’s Tuxedo Orchestra. He played with Armand Piron, Fate Marable, and Sidney Desvignes on a riverboat, and in 1929 recorded with the Jones-Collins Astoria Hot Eight. In Chicago he recorded with Roosevelt Sykes and worked as a jazz and blues sideman while starting his own band. Emanuel later toured Japan with George Lewis and performed with Sweet Emma Barrett. In Cleveland he worked with Punch Miller and as a house musician with Jass Limited. Emanuel played in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band after coming back to New Orleans and later traveled the world. He recorded with many musicians and labels through the 1960s and 70s.