Sunnie Valentine

Vocals, Accordion & Upright Bass

A native of Connecticut, Sunnie Valentine’s first musical performance was accompanying herself on piano while singing Christmas carols for her second grade class. She classically trained in voice and musical performance up through her college school years. In her early twenties, she moved to Kentucky where she learned to play the upright bass and performed regularly at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, a precursor to the Grand Ole Opry. Sunnie became well versed in singing and playing Bluegrass, Folk, Old Time, Roots and German music and toured throughout the Kentucky/ Ohio region. Life then took her to Texas where she learned to play rhythm guitar, and accordion. Now in the Kansas City area, with years of experience in different bands, she is very happy to breathe new life into these songs with the Ellis Islanders.

She can perform in a variety of music styles and genres, fitting the show to whatever is needed --- Cabaret, Music Hall, German, Christmas, Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Patriotic, Oktoberfest, etc… Sunnie also develops programs of eclectic acoustic music highlighting a variety of musical genres, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Folk, and Singer/songwriter Ballads.

Austin Baric

Drums & Percussion

Austin Baric is Jim’s middle son and has been interested in pummeling things since boyhood. He was introduced to drumming as a healthy outlet at age 7. He played mostly American music until a few years ago when he became interested in the Balkan music that Jim loves so very much. He began lessons and has excelled to the point of carrying the musical legacy of his father. He adds his talents as a drummer and percussionist to the Ellis Islanders. A true team player, this quiet unassuming man has a powerful proficiency in all rhythms and types of music, easily adapting to whatever is needed.

Jim Baric

Accordion & Vocals

Jim Baric began accordion lessons at the age of five and at age 10, under the direction of Don Lipovac, he joined the St John's Tamburitzans on Historic Strawberry Hill. His interest in the accordion was piqued and he furthered his studies with Don. In high school Jim was a string bassist for the Sumner Academy Symphonic Orchestra. As a senior in high school he auditioned for and was accepted to Duquesne University Tamburitzans and School of Music in Pittsburgh, PA, where he earned a BS in Music Education. He has had leadership roles in the St. John’s Tamburitzans as well as the traditional Croatian Orchestra Hrvatski Obicaj. He founded and led the band Kolograd for many years. His current band, “Jim Baric and Friends” performs not only traditional Eastern European music, but other international music as well as American music. Jim is also frequently invited to perform with many local and nationally known musicians in a variety of musical genres.

Although Jim is a multi instrumentalist, his main focus with the Ellis Islanders is accordion and supporting and lead vocals.