Sunpie Barnes

Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is the ultimate jack of all trades – a revered musician, cultural historian, former NFL’er and National Park Ranger who has become a pillar of New Orleans’ vibrant music scene. Sunpie demonstrates a dazzling array of styles in Soul Country #7 on harmonica, accordion and piano, playing key songs from his wide-ranging repertoire. He learned blues from his father in Arkansas, a  contemporary of Sonny Boy Williamson, and later from legendary New Orleans masters. His music thusly is a powerful blend of blues, zydeco, gospel, and Afro-Caribbean influences, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of the region.

Exploring world music took Sunpie to Africa to get deeper into the roots and learn styles of South African accordion playing. That expertise caught the ear of Paul Simon and Sting with whom Sunpie has toured on multiple continents. Host Ric Stewart and Sunpie discuss the fusion of different musical traditions in the South and how these sounds have shaped the cultural identity of New Orleans and beyond. With live performances and in-depth conversations, this episode offers listeners a rare glimpse into Sunpie’s Afro-Louisiana sound which maps uncharted terrain in Soul Country. Production made possible in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.