Emile Barnes, born on February 18, 1892, was an American clarinetist known for his distinctive style. He studied under Lorenzo Tio Jr., Alphonse Picou, George Baquet, and Louis Nelson Delisle, beginning his professional career in New Orleans by 1908. Barnes played with the Chris Kelly band from the late 1910s through the 1920s and became widely known outside of New Orleans during the revival era when he recorded for American Music Records. He performed at the opening night of Preservation Hall and collaborated with Wooden Joe Nicholas in the 1930s, Kid Howard in the 1940s, and was featured on several Folkways Records compilations in the 1950s and early 1960s. Barnes also recorded with British trumpeter Ken Colyer in 1953. His younger brother, Paul "Polo" Barnes, was also a noted professional clarinetist. Emile Barnes passed away on March 2, 1970.
