Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is a veteran New Orleans musician, former park ranger with the National Park Service (30 years), actor, photographer, book author, former high school biology teacher, former college football All-American, and former NFL player (Kansas City Chiefs). Sunpie Barnes’ many careers have taken him far and wide. He has traveled to over 50 countries playing his own style of what he calls Afro-Louisiana music incorporating blues, zydeco, gospel, Caribbean and African influenced rhythms and melodies. He is a multi-instrumentalist, master accordion and harmonica player, also piano, rubboard, talking drum, and dejembe. He learned accordion from some of the best Zydeco pioneers in Louisiana, including Fernest Arceneaux, John Delafose, and Clayton Sampy. Along with his musical group Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, he has performed at festivals and concerts across the US and around the globe. Sunpie has recorded 6 critically acclaimed CDs with his compositions currently featured in 16 Hollywood film productions.

In addition to this musical work he is also a former member of the Paul Simon Band and that embarked on a 62 city world tour “Paul Simon and Sting Together”, which span 36 countries (2014-2015). Film acting has also been an important part of his busy career. Sunpie’s work has appeared in such Hollywood productions as Point of No Return, Deja Vu, Under Cover Blues, Jonah Hex, Treme, The Big Easy, Skeleton Key, Heartless, The Gates Of Silence and Odd Girl Out.

He is deeply involved in New Orleans parade culture and co-authored the 2015 critically acclaimed book “Talk That Music Talk” – Passing On Brass Band Music In New Orleans “The Traditional Way”. Over 300 of Sunpie’s photographs are featured in this book. He is the Big Chief of the North Side Skull and Bone Gang, one of the oldest existing Black Carnival groups in New Orleans. 

Hop onto the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Facebook Page for Quarantunes! Every Friday at 2 PM, the New Orleans Jazz Museum hosts virtual concerts with an exciting mix of talented Jazz musicians, all performing from their homes. This free online series, broadcasting to music fans around the world, highlights the rich culture and history of New Orleans. Watch on facebook.com/nolajazzmuseum/live

ABOUT Joshua “The Have a Great Day Starkman will bring a smile to your face and sweet music to your ears. Joshua has lived in New Orleans for the past decade. He enjoys making people smile, playing guitar and watering his plants. Guaranteed to make you have a great day or your money back. Have a Great Day, we love you!

SUPPORT THE ARTIST

• VENMO @JoshuaStarkman

• PAYPAL paypal.me/joshuastarkman

• CASHAPP $JoshStarkman

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the New Orleans Jazz Museum presents “We Are Familia” 

“We Are Familia” will virtually celebrate the environmental, cultural, and economic impact of Hispanic Heritage on  New Orleans through live music, presentations, and   presenters. It will include a series of speakers and  performances dedicated to Hispanic Heritage, its culture,  and its legacy.  This event will educate the public while  supporting local latinx performers. Be our virtual guest On Wednesday, September 30th, 2020, at 7:00 pm.  Our event will be Streamed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. @nolajazzmuseum

This personal flyover tour of the Mississippi will start the headwaters in Minnesota and travel all the way to the birdsfoot delta in Louisiana. The flyover will include a lecture about the history of the river and its importance in shaping the country.  

The eighth Annual Nola River Festival on September 21-27, 2020 celebrates the environmental, cultural, and economic impact of the Mississippi River and the land it built through live music, cooking demonstrations, presentations, panels, and walking tours that explore this year’s theme “Working on the River."

The festival is free and open to the public, hosted on Facebook. Registration for panels is optional. More information on nolariverfest.org.