Polo Barnes
Encyclopedia
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.
Barnes attended St. Paul Lutheran College, and began playing alto saxophone in 1919. He and Lawrence Marrero
formed the Original Diamond Band, later known as the Young Tuxedo Band. He was with Kid Rena
in 1922, the Maple Leaf Orchestra in 1923, and Papa Celestin
's Original Tuxedo Band
later that year; Celestin's group recorded his tune "My Josephine", which became quite popular. He played with Chick Webb
in 1927, and with King Oliver three times (1927, 1931, 1934-35). He toured with Jelly Roll Morton
in 1928-29.
In 1932-33 he led his own band; in that decade he played with Chester Zardis
(1935), and Kid Howard
(1937-39, 1941). He played in Algiers, Louisiana
in a Navy band from 1942-45, then returned to work with Celestin from 1946 to 1951. From 1952 to 1957 he left music and moved to California
. Upon his return to New Orleans in 1959, he played with Paul Barbarin
(1960), but from 1962-65 joined the Young Men from New Orleans band that played on a riverboat
at Disneyland. He returned again to New Orleans in 1964 and played at Preservation Hall
and Dixieland Hall. He toured Europe in 1973-74, but poor health ended his career in 1977.
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...
clarinetist and saxophonist. He was the brother of Emile Barnes
Emile Barnes
Emile Barnes was a New Orleans jazz clarinetist.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...
and was a mainstay of the New Orleans jazz
New Orleans Jazz
New Orleans Jazz may refer to:*Dixieland, a style of jazz music*New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park*Utah Jazz, a professional National Basketball Association franchise that was previously based in New Orleans and known as the New Orleans Jazz, in recognition of the jazz music of New Orleans*A...
scene of the 1920s and 1930s.
Barnes attended St. Paul Lutheran College, and began playing alto saxophone in 1919. He and Lawrence Marrero
Lawrence Marrero
Lawrence Marrero was an American jazz banjoist.Marrero was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in a musical family. His brothers were Eddie , John and Simon while their father Billy was a bass player too...
formed the Original Diamond Band, later known as the Young Tuxedo Band. He was with Kid Rena
Kid Rena
Henry "Kid" Rena was an American jazz trumpeter who was an early star of the New Orleans jazz scene....
in 1922, the Maple Leaf Orchestra in 1923, and Papa Celestin
Papa Celestin
Oscar "Papa" Celestin was an American jazz bandleader, trumpeter, cornetist and vocalist.-Life and career:...
's Original Tuxedo Band
Tuxedo Brass Band
The Tuxedo Brass Band, sometimes called the Original Tuxedo Brass Band, was one of the most highly regarded brass bands of New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1910s and 1920s....
later that year; Celestin's group recorded his tune "My Josephine", which became quite popular. He played with Chick Webb
Chick Webb
William Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb was an American jazz and swing music drummer as well as a band leader.-Biography:...
in 1927, and with King Oliver three times (1927, 1931, 1934-35). He toured with Jelly Roll Morton
Jelly Roll Morton
Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe , known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was an American ragtime and early jazz pianist, bandleader and composer....
in 1928-29.
In 1932-33 he led his own band; in that decade he played with Chester Zardis
Chester Zardis
Chester Zardis was an American jazz double-bassist.Zardis played bass from a young age, and studied under Billy Marrero of the Superior Orchestra. In his teens he was involved in a fistfight at a New Orleans theater, which resulted in his being sent to the Jones Waif Home...
(1935), and Kid Howard
Kid Howard
Avery "Kid" Howard was an American jazz trumpeter associated with the New Orleans jazz scene....
(1937-39, 1941). He played in Algiers, Louisiana
Algiers, Louisiana
Algiers is a neighborhood within the city of New Orleans. It is the portion of Orleans Parish on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.Algiers is also known as the 15th Ward, one of the 17 Wards of New Orleans.-History:...
in a Navy band from 1942-45, then returned to work with Celestin from 1946 to 1951. From 1952 to 1957 he left music and moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Upon his return to New Orleans in 1959, he played with Paul Barbarin
Paul Barbarin
Adolphe Paul Barbarin was a New Orleans jazz drummer, usually regarded as one of the very best of the pre-Big Band era jazz drummers...
(1960), but from 1962-65 joined the Young Men from New Orleans band that played on a riverboat
Riverboat
A riverboat is a ship built boat designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury units constructed for entertainment enterprises, such...
at Disneyland. He returned again to New Orleans in 1964 and played 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...
and Dixieland Hall. He toured Europe in 1973-74, but poor health ended his career in 1977.