Emile Barnes

Emile Barnes (1892-1970) was a New Orleans jazz clarinetist. Barnes was still a teenager when he worked as a professional musician in 1908. He studied under Lorenzo Tio Jr., Alphonse Picou, George Baquet, and Big Eye Nelson. He was highly regarded locally for his bluesy and distinctively individualistic style. Barnes played with the Chris Kelly Band in the late 1910s through the 1920s and gained national acclaim when he recorded for American Music Records. He performed at opening night of Preservation Hall in New Orleans and later in life. In the ’30s he played with Wooden Joe Nichols and in the ’40s with Kid Howard and was featured on several Folkways Records New Orleans compilation albums during the ’50s. In the ’60s, Barnes performed as a solo artist as well.