Sweet Emma

Biography

Sweet Emma Barrett, born March 25, 1897, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a pioneering self-taught jazz pianist and singer whose career spanned over seven decades. She began playing piano at age seven and was performing publicly by the age of twelve, quickly becoming a fixture in the vibrant New Orleans music scene. Despite never learning to read music, Barrett possessed an exceptional ear and could transpose pieces instantly, a skill that made her highly sought after among local bands and musicians. Her early career was marked by her work with Oscar 'Papa' Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra from 1923 to 1936, followed by collaborations with notable bandleaders such as William Ridgely, Armand Piron, John Robichaux, and Sidney Desvigne.

Barrett's musical style was characterized by a strident, barrelhouse approach to piano and a vocal delivery infused with humor and double entendre, drawing inspiration from early female blues singers. She was known for her eccentric stage presence, often performing in a red beanie cap and garters adorned with tinkling bells, earning her the nickname 'the bell gal.' After a period of semi-retirement, she returned to prominence in the late 1940s and, in 1961, made her recording debut with the Riverside Records 'New Orleans: The Living Legends' series. The 1960s marked the peak of her career as she became a central figure in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, touring internationally and recording several influential albums.

Despite suffering a stroke in 1967 that left her partially paralyzed, Barrett continued to perform with undiminished spirit, playing piano with only her right hand and captivating audiences until her death in 1983. Her legacy endures as a trailblazer for women in jazz, a beloved ambassador of New Orleans music, and an inspiration to countless musicians who followed in her footsteps.

Fun Facts

• Barrett was famous for wearing a red beanie cap and garters adorned with bells, earning her the nickname 'the bell gal.'
• She never learned to read music but could instantly transpose songs to any key by ear.
• After suffering a stroke in 1967, Barrett continued to perform, playing piano with only her right hand.
• Barrett had a fear of flying, which made touring outside New Orleans challenging despite her international fame.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Oscar 'Papa' Celestin - Band leader and early employer; Barrett played piano in his Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra. (Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra performances) [1923-1928]

Key Collaborators

• William Ridgely - Band leader; Barrett continued with the Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra under his direction after Celestin. (Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra performances) [1928-1936]
• Armand Piron - Violinist and bandleader; Barrett performed in his ensembles. (Ensemble performances) [1930s]
• John Robichaux - Bandleader; Barrett performed in his ensembles. (Ensemble performances) [1930s]
• Sidney Desvigne - Trumpeter and bandleader; Barrett performed in his ensembles. (Ensemble performances) [1930s]
• Percy Humphrey - Trumpeter; collaborated in Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Sweet Emma and the Bells. (Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Sweet Emma and the Bells) [1950s-1960s]
• Israel Gorman - Clarinetist; collaborated in Preservation Hall Jazz Band. (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) [1950s-1960s]
• Emmanuel Sayles - Banjoist; played on her 1963 album. (The Bell Gal and Her Dixieland Boys Music (1963))
• Placide Adams - Bassist; played on her 1963 album. (The Bell Gal and Her Dixieland Boys Music (1963))
• Paul Barbarin - Drummer; played on her 1963 album. (The Bell Gal and Her Dixieland Boys Music (1963))

Artists Influenced

• Preservation Hall Jazz Band members - Barrett's leadership and style helped shape the band's sound and inspired younger generations of New Orleans musicians. (Preservation Hall Jazz Band recordings and performances) [1960s-1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. A Good Man Is Hard To Find (Sweet Emma Barrett And Her New Orleans Music)
2. None of My Jelly Roll (Her New Orleans Music)
3. Jelly Roll Blues (Sweet Emma Barrett And Her New Orleans Music)
4. When I Grow Too Old to Dream (Her New Orleans Music)
5. Big Butter And Egg Man (Sweet Emma Barrett And Her New Orleans Music)
6. A Good Man Is Hard to Find (Her New Orleans Music)
7. Bill Bailey (Her New Orleans Music)
8. That's A Plenty (Sweet Emma Barrett And Her New Orleans Music)
9. Pagan Love Song (Sweet Emma Barrett And Her New Orleans Music)
10. Take Me Out To The Ball (Sweet Emma Barrett And Her New Orleans Music)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia