Sunpie Barnes

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Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes is the leader of the roots band, the Louisiana Sunspots.

Sunpie is a master harmonica player, accomplished accordionist, and a jam-up drummer who leads his band through a beautiful mix of blues, Zydeco, Caribbean, and New Orleans style music. In addition, the multi-talented Sunpie has a budding career in film, appearing in several major Hollywood productions and numerous national commercials. Sunpie also works as a naturalist and tour guide at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, imparting his vast knowledge of Louisiana's swamps and wetlands.

Sunpie was rasied in Benton, Arkansas where he was taught to play the "blues harp" by his father. After attending Henderson State University on a football scholarship, Sunpie played professional football as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. After his football career concluded, Sunpie moved to New Orleans, Louisiana where he now stands out as a blues harmonicist in the city. His innovative and energetic style draws equally from such late greats as Sonny Boy Williamson, and modernists such as Lee Oskar and Carey Bell.

In December 1991, Sunpie teamed up with veteran drummer Harold Ray Brown, best known for his work with War, and formed an eclectic and funky new group called Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots. The band has performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Juneteenth Festival in Houston, the Eleventh International Clarinette Festival in Martinique, and numerous nightclubs throughout the Gulf South.

He has written songs such as "Bunny Bread", "Sally Brown" and "The Tomato Song."

On April 30, 2005, Sunpie joined Trey Anastasio at the New Orleans Superjam.

Sunpie's recording "Long Temps Passe" was featured during the opening credits of the Michael Schorr film, "Schultze Gets the Blues" (2003).


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