“Sweet Emma” Barrett (March 25, 1897, New Orleans, Louisiana – January 28, 1983) was an American, self-taught jazz pianist and singer who worked with the Original Tuxedo Orchestra between 1923 and 1936, first under Papa Celestin, then William Ridgely. She also worked with Armand Piron, John Robichaux, Sidney Desvigne, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. (More from Wikipedia)
Among my most memorable concerts are seeing the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on different trips to New Orleans ages ago. My first trip in 1972 for a friend’s wedding is a haze of Hurricanes and Pat O’Brien’s and wonderful food and just one jazz club after another down Bourbon Street. (What I have seen these days are mostly places to get a drink handed to you). When we first went to Preservation Hall, the “Bell Gal”, Sweet Emma Barrett was the de facto bandleader and the only vocalist. She absolutely captivated us; I have managed to find three albums by her over the years – all since I moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast – and at least one I have cleaned up and back in my stacks.
There was a sign on the wall in Preservation Hall about requests (still is, in fact); you could put in a request for $1 or $2 – but if you wanted to hear “Saints”, that would cost you $5.
(June 2015)
