Emile Barnes

Emile Barnes was a New Orleans clarinetist who kept the flame of traditional jazz burning bright through the mid-20th century. Known for his warm, lyrical style rooted in the city’s early jazz traditions, Barnes became a fixture at Preservation Hall in the 1960s, where recordings like *First Night at Preservation Hall Live 13th July 1961* captured his loose, joyful interplay with fellow local legends. His career stretched back to the 1940s, with releases like *1946* and collaborations such as the *Barnes-Bocage Big Five 1954* showcasing his role in bridging generations of New Orleans musicians. Whether leading his Louisiana Joymakers or appearing on gritty Dauphine Street jam sessions (preserved in the *Early Recordings* volumes), Barnes embodied the communal spirit and rawness of the city’s jazz culture, earning his place as a keeper of its sound long before the “trad jazz” revival gained wider attention.

Genres

Ragtime

Classic Blues

Latest Release

Barnes-Bocage Big Five 1954

Emile Barnes

Album - 19 Tracks - Released June 1, 2019