To this day, you can still catch them performing there frequently, in between attending festivals and performing at schools around the world to educate students of all ages. She has performed at concert halls, music festivals, and U.S. embassies, as well as in decades of weekly performances in Dixieland's tradition in the Royal Street Performing Arts Zone in the French Quarter of New Orleans with her band, Doreen's Jazz New Orleans. MAY. Doreen Ketchens playing When the Saints Go Marching In on Royal Street in New Orleans. I sat on the side where the girls had congregated, and I saw a poster of a flute. Log In. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. About Doreen Ketchens. Press J to jump to the feed. In front of 701 Royal St. Friday - Sunday, 10:30 am-2:30pm About Us! I looked in, and there was Mr. Batiste. The couple began performing on the streets of New Orleans in 1987.[5]. In front of the rouses around 12:30pm. All Rights Reserved. Doreen Ketchens, on clarinet, and her band play Royal Street, New Orleans. 2023 GoNOLA.com, New Orleans & Company. A stylistically unique ensemble from day one, the members of Doreen's Jazz have been singing, performing, and playing in sync as if they'd been together their entire musical careers. Ill hear something he plays, which Ive heard thousands of times, and Ill think, What? 13th, 2017. Eventually, I realized what he was doing, and it translated into me being able to improvise. And back then, you know, you had girl instruments and you had boy instruments. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents Doreen Ketchens in concert on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart Street). I made fine grades, and kept up musically, I just didnt think I was! May. Doreen Ketchens is no ordinary street musician. ), and The Catholic University of America (D.M.A.). No officers were injured and both vehicles sustained minor damages. I had rarely played with a symphony, and it had been a long time since I had played with him. She formed her band called the Jackson Square All Stars, and they began playing in the French Quarters Jackson Square. A woman of many talents, Doreen worked her way through conservatories and college as a chef. [2] The group has been featured in numerous articles, including New Orleans' Jazz radio station's Busker Blog. Doreen has been called "Queen Clarinet," "the female Louis Armstrong," and "Lady Louie." She has a quick smile . When its really busy, sometimes well still play for 8 hours. BR: Who were your musical idols when you were learning your instrument? He had this sound! Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. Despite that, they found success with their street shows, and eventually through jazz festivals and sales of their albums.. BR: Please tell us about your band and its instrumentation. Authorities claim they found a firearm and drugs in one of the vehicles. None of my family members were musicians, but my dad was a member of a social aid and pleasure club, and he used to Second Line all the time.1 He played the stereo constantly, so Im sure thats where my musical influence came from. Now that you are established, do any other bands steal your spot? Find hidden gems and get insider information on NOLAs best restaurants, bars, attractions, and events every week. . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Planning a visit to New Orleans? Doreen Ketchens (born October 3, 1966) is an American jazz clarinetist who performs Dixieland and Trad Jazz. And I did my classical, and I went to Loyola, then went to the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut. I would have known what to concentrate on. Only recently did I start looking for other reeds. Here she performs the traditional "Didn't He Ramb. [7][5], Doreen attended Delgado Community College, Loyola University of New Orleans, Southern University In New Orleans, and, through scholarships, including one from the New York Philharmonic, University of Hartford's The Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut, where she studied under Henry Larsen. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Buster Bailey had a similar background to me, starting out with classical music, then learning jazz. Email will originate from news@neworleans.com. The Jazz Scene: Queen Clarinet: Interview with Doreen Ketchens. I remember we were auditioning for the Louisiana Music Educators Association honor band, and I was feeling low because I didnt think I did very well on the audition. Doreen Ketchens is one of New Orleans' most visible street musicians. Los Angeles, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, Dennis Schroder leads depleted Lakers to crucial win over Thunder, Student debt is a crisis: Activists rally outside Supreme Court for loan forgiveness, An assault and fatal stabbing in the middle of class at a Santa Rosa high school, With unfounded fraud claims swirling, red California county dumps Dominion voting machines, Man arrested in connection to 7 bombings in Fresno has links to hate group, authorities say, Vote on LAPD transit patrols sparks City Hall debate over safety on Metro system, UCLA, UCSF hospital nurses voice complaints about overcrowding, staffing shortages. WAS There a House in New Orleans They Called The Rising Sun? Bar Rescue is an American reality TV series that premiered on Paramount Network (formerly Spike) on July 17, 2011. Now it's time to discover her yourself. By Alexi Chidbachian. NS: Well the clarinet and your experience on the street has carried you worldwide. Royal Street Performing Arts Zone. Get our L.A. [1] Videos of the group by fans, news, and entertainment organizations have been seen by millions of people on the Internet and the group has recorded more than 20 CDs or DVDs of the group's work. Look outside! Although when home in New Orleans she can often be found on Royal Street performing for tourists and other French Quarter strollers, she is an international attraction at . I liked him as a person, and he liked me as a person, but, boy, he shook his head side to side quite often at me! I Was There. Her silky, haunting voice and amazing skills on the clarinet will stay with you even after you leave. If I had been raised by Mr. Marsalis, I would be the greatest clarinetist in the whole world, Id know everything there is to know about music, and everything, because he had this way of pushing you and making you feel like dirt if you didnt live up to his standards. DK: Classical wise, Stanley Weinstein. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. She also completed an internship with the symphony in Hartford. After high school, Doreen attended Loyola University, which is where she met her husband Lawrence. He told me, You know, you probably didnt do as badly in that audition as you think you did. The only relief I got in that class was when Mr. Marsalis stopped trashing me in class to start trashing Harry! There was no real work here, I mean, were back home in New Orleans, the symphony has gone bust for the third time, so we took a walk out in the quarter one day, and there were some people playing in the street. He was just being kind to me, I think, and showing that sometimes the teacher can become the student. BR: Do you have advice for a young musician who would like to pursue a career as a performer? Heres why experts say not to worry, How a Cucamonga Peak hiker survived a 200-foot fall from an icy trail, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Best coffee city in the world? We are clarinet cousins! BR: Yes, thank you for agreeing to this interview. I enjoyed the article Los Cabos, So Luxe, by Rosemary McClure (March 31). 1 Second Line is a New Orleans tradition in which a second line of revelers follows behind a first line of parade participants and musicians. As a middle schooler, she would fake a headache to get out of a quiz or gym class, but her acting abilities still have yet to help in her career trajectory. Funny 1. They had a pageant every year, which was a fundraiser, and it was around Mardi Gras time. What is the name of this blonde guy who plays the guitar in Doreen's band @ the royal street? He could communicate even what he couldnt demonstrate any longer. In addition to holding court as a street performer, Doreen tours internationally, has performed for four U.S. presidents, and regularly educates the youth of the world, spreading the culture and music of New Orleans. You know, I said Ill go to college, and Ill major in performance because we had listened to the symphony, we did a lot of things, you know, and I thought, you know playing the clarinet is something you can do for a living. In front of 701 Royal St. Friday - Sunday, 10:30 am-2:30 pm, Proudly created by Jesse Hellmann-Contact Web Designer Here. She. FOX 11. I dont remember those solos now, but Im sure that I still play snippets of them that creep into my improvisations. BR: Were you able to hear local musicians before you started playing the clarinet? Today, she is one of the regular drummers backing the group. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Yosemite breaks decades-old snowfall record, closing national park indefinitely, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a jungle and Maya ruins, Has wildflower shaming gone too far? The clarinet was right next to it, and I said, Well, I want to play the clarinet.. While police attempted to block in the vehicles, one driver allegedly rammed his car into a CHP cruiser. We look forward to a time when we can hear you perform again, whether it be on Royal Street, or at an International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest! Useful 2. For all of the nicknames for New Orleans (the Big Easy, the Crescent City, etc. I Was There. Cool 1. . Its nothing like before the pandemic, but we are surviving. Photo credit: Diane Danthony (dianedanthonyphotography.com). He earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma (B.M.E. This cool kids outdoors club will introduce you to L.A.s best asset, Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction, Burbank aborted landing was latest close call for U.S. flights. DK: I started at Delgado Community College, and while there, I studied with George Jensen, a trumpet player at the New Orleans Phil, until he had a stroke and couldnt play anymore. Doreen Ketchens (born October 3, 1966) is an American jazz clarinetist who performs Dixieland and Trad Jazz.She has performed at concert halls, music festivals, and U.S. embassies, as well as in decades of weekly performances in Dixieland's tradition in the Royal Street Performing Arts Zone in the French Quarter of New Orleans with her band, Doreen's Jazz New Orleans. Use this community to ask New Orleans locals questions that you may not be able to find on Google: recommendations for restaurants, itinerary suggestions, questions about specific neighborhoodsetc. That would be really cool. Come out an jam! You know, the jazz clarinetists that I had heard, like George Lewis and others, I appreciated their tones and I respected them, but that was not my concept of tone at all. In front of the rouses around 12:30pm. [5] She ran a plate lunch eatery called "Doreen's Sweets" for a time until she and Lawrence kept passing musicians working the streets of New Orleans, and she told him that they could make money doing that. The group has toured the world, and performs in the Royal Street Performing Arts zone in the French Quarter of New Orleans, at jazz festivals, fairs, showcases, and concert halls. I didnt even know what it was called, it just looked pretty, so I chose the clarinet! Do you have any thoughts about this cultural phenomenon? As I got older, I remember one of my first recordings with Kermit Ruffins. Both the suspects vehicle and the CHP cruiser were damaged, but none of the officers in the cruiser were injured, according to a social media post by the CHP Baldwin Park station. ), Louisiana State University (M.M. Email will originate from news@neworleans.com. He used to call me Ms. Joseph, my maiden name. Lawrence, my husband, had a jazz band, and all of the sudden, jazz wasnt so bad. Sign Up. I found a set of clarinets and they came with two Kaspar mouthpieces, which I fell in love with. He would also later become her arranger and band member, but, at the time, it was through Lawrence that the classically trained clarinetist found a passion for Jazz. Its their privilege to lose. And, it was like a key opening a door, which made me able to play the song! During her university years, Doreen attended The Hartt School at The University of Hartford in Connecticut through a scholarship from The New York Philharmonic. Were very approachable, and give everyone an opportunity to play. Thats a godsend! Two felony arrests were made for assault on a peace officer, possession of a firearm and possession of drugs. Ive been playing DAddario Reserve 5 reeds too. If I knew then what I know now, Id be a much better clarinetist and musician than I am today. I'd bet you can go there most days to hear her. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) April 14, 2019 7 AM PT Great to read the article on New Orleans (". Ben Redwine: Good afternoon, Mrs. Ketchens, it is a pleasure to speak with you! BR: Please tell us about your formal music education. New York, NY. Reynolds was in New Orleans to write about the street. Ive got to hear this! I was very intimidated at that recording session. I started playing jazz because I fell in love with a tuba player! CHP officers said that when they arrived at the scene they saw plumes of smoke from people performing burnouts. Most of the people were arrested on suspicion of spectating or participating in the takeover. In a two-day operation targeting illegal street takeovers, LAPD arrests one person wanted for attempted murder and another wanted for hit-and-run. Her tips and lessons she has on her channel are too advanced for me, yet, but I cant get enough of watching her slay and would kill to see her play in person and show a token of my appreciation. I saw her yesterday on Royal St. [1] I needed some rehearsals, I thought! I have a gold-plated Selmer that I had pinned so many times my repairman said, Doreen, you need to retire this instrument. So, I did. Ketchens has performed for four U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr., Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter,[1] and was described by Nola.com in 2012 as one of the cultural ambassadors of New Orleans.[2]. I hope it sets the record straight about what is needed. All Rights Reserved. He is my biggest influence. And Im like, well I dont want to play that now! By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. When I went to college, I didnt know what an A clarinet was, but I learned that I needed to buy one. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I still have some of those reeds. In fact, as I'm writing this, my foot is happily tapping to one of her CDs that we bought. Jazz & Music festivals Doreen Ketchens has performed at: Fan and media videos of her performances have been seen globally by millions of people on YouTube and other social media outlets with one video by the NOLA Insider Guide on Facebook reaching more than 3.9M people by October 2015. The CHP Baldwin Park station did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Doreen Ketchens, on clarinet, and her band play Royal Street, New Orleans. [7] Ketchens has been sharing traditional American Jazz in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, Russia and the United States. I approached Mr. Marsalis, and said, You know, I need some help. In the fifth grade while attending Joseph Craig Elementary, she signed up for the school band in order to escape a pop quiz. He previously worked for Courthouse News Service, where he wrote both breaking news and enterprise stories ranging from criminal justice to homelessness and politics. I found it very frustrating. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Doreen introduced her daughter, Dorian Ketchens-Dixon, when she was nine, as a drummer at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for one song in a set. Back then, girls played certain instruments and boys played certain instruments. She was tasked with learning how to play the clarinet her second choice, after all the other girls signed up for the flute. DK: I was in fifth grade, we were at lunch, and there was a rumor going around that wed have a pop quiz. DK: I grew up in the Treme neighborhood. Jazz clarinetist and music educator Doreen Ketchens is famous for her performances on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Rain or shine, Doreen's magnetic performance draws crowds to the corner of Royal and St. Peter each. Please Read the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNOLA/comments/panlj5/the_faq_google_pandemic_and_hurricanes_ps_please/) and search the sub before posting. So, he was Uncle Al after that. [9] Professional performances and performances in feature films and television programs include: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Second choice, after all the other girls signed up for the school band in order escape... Guitar in Doreen & # x27 ; s band @ the Royal street in the French Quarters Jackson.. What it was like a key opening a door, which Ive heard of... Sudden, jazz wasnt so bad in on Royal street fifth grade while attending Joseph Craig Elementary she... The name of this blonde guy who plays the guitar in Doreen & # ;! Of spectating or participating in the fifth grade while attending Joseph Craig Elementary she... To write about the street I knew then what I know now, Id be a much clarinetist. Performing on the streets of New Orleans the girls had congregated, and her band play Royal,... Of clarinets and they began playing in the takeover those solos now, Im... When the Saints Go Marching in on Royal St. [ 1 ] I needed some rehearsals, I one! Proper functionality of our platform speak with you even after you leave other bands steal spot! It just looked pretty, so I chose the clarinet up to speed with our California! And her band play Royal street in New Orleans in 1987. [ 5 ] am today,. May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform grade while attending Joseph Elementary! Earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma ( B.M.E drugs in one of my first recordings with Kermit Ruffins Read... The French Quarter of New Orleans agreeing to this Interview had played with a symphony, the. California newsletter, sent six days a week information on NOLAs best restaurants, bars, attractions, there. A fundraiser, and give everyone an opportunity to play the song think, and her band play Royal,... ; s magnetic performance draws crowds to the Hartt school of music Connecticut... Chp Baldwin Park station did not immediately respond to requests for comment to retire this instrument Yes thank! The Saints Go Marching in on Royal street in New Orleans the Los Angeles times to trashing... To me, you need to retire this instrument second choice, after all the other girls up! Craig Elementary, she signed up for the flute, what of this blonde who... About your formal music education worked her way through conservatories and college as performer. Well still play for 8 hours a performer this blonde guy who plays the guitar Doreen. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the University of Oklahoma ( B.M.E or redistributed Ketchens! And Trad jazz to college, I think, and kept up musically, I think,?... Arrests were made for assault on a peace officer, possession of drugs playing because... Ben Redwine: Good afternoon, Mrs. Ketchens, on clarinet, events... Degrees from the University of America ( D.M.A. ) the record straight about what needed. Big Easy, the Crescent city, etc were arrested on suspicion of spectating or participating in French... Play for 8 hours girls had congregated, and events every week start taking part in conversations Treme... Vehicles sustained minor damages and you had girl instruments and you had boy instruments her yesterday on street., etc shine, Doreen & # x27 ; t he Ramb tasked with how! The school band in order to escape a pop quiz felony arrests were made for on... Essential California newsletter, with the week 's best events, to you. You even after you leave police attempted to block in the French Quarters Jackson Square all,. Grew up in the takeover officers said that when they arrived at the Scene saw., Id be a much better clarinetist and music educator Doreen Ketchens playing when the Saints Go Marching in Royal... Its really busy, sometimes well still play snippets of them that into... In conversations Trad jazz internship with the symphony in Hartford one of the sudden, jazz wasnt so bad maiden. To it, and the Catholic University of Oklahoma ( B.M.E a peace officer, of! Called, it is a pleasure to speak with you even after you leave her second choice, after the. Need to retire this instrument and boys played certain instruments and boys played certain instruments boys! City, etc remember those solos now, Id be a much clarinetist. Needed to buy one since I had played with him do you have advice for a young musician would! Before the pandemic, but Im sure that I had played with him University of (. Needed some rehearsals, I thought Rescue is an American reality TV series that premiered Paramount! People were arrested on suspicion of spectating or participating in the French Quarter of New Orleans Go there days. You did advice for a young musician who would like to pursue a career as chef. Best restaurants, bars, attractions, and ill think, what the people arrested... Was in New Orleans ( the Big Easy, the Crescent city, etc needed buy! Big Easy, the Crescent city, etc attending Joseph Craig Elementary she! Station did not immediately respond to requests for comment did I start looking for other reeds clarinetist! But I learned that I needed to buy one non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use cookies..., but Im sure that I had pinned so many times my repairman said, Doreen & # ;. Realized what he couldnt demonstrate any longer girl instruments and boys played certain instruments and played... Have a gold-plated Selmer that I had played with a symphony, and all the! Girls signed up for the flute firearm and possession of a firearm and drugs in of... A door, which was a fundraiser, and showing that sometimes the teacher become! With two Kaspar mouthpieces, which was a fundraiser, and doreen ketchens royal street of the regular drummers backing the group non-essential... Use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform 5 ] other! Still play for 8 hours if I knew then what I know,... And get insider information on NOLAs best restaurants, bars, attractions, and they began playing in the Quarters. Operation targeting illegal street takeovers, LAPD arrests one person wanted for hit-and-run bar Rescue is an reality. Los Cabos, so Luxe, by Rosemary McClure ( March 31 ) was called, it was,... The traditional & quot ; Didn & # x27 ; t he Ramb Crescent city, etc that was... [ FAQ ] ( https: //www.reddit.com/r/AskNOLA/comments/panlj5/the_faq_google_pandemic_and_hurricanes_ps_please/ ) and search the sub before.... What it was like a key opening a door, which was a fundraiser, all... A key opening a door, which was a fundraiser, and ill think, and band! Experience on the clarinet Go there most days to hear her need to retire this instrument,! And doreen ketchens royal street, well, I think, what ensure the proper functionality of our platform it sets record... I started playing the clarinet her second choice, after all the other girls signed up for the.. Than I am today know, you know, you probably didnt do as badly in audition... This Interview a peace officer, possession of drugs needed some rehearsals, I one. As badly in that audition as you think you did peace officer possession. To college, I need some help a key opening a door, which was fundraiser! Pandemic, but we are surviving to call me Ms. Joseph, my husband, had a every! In, and all of the vehicles, one driver allegedly rammed his car into a CHP cruiser most street..., to help you explore and experience our city where the girls had congregated, and it like... A peace officer, possession of drugs background to me, I need some help traditional & ;... Pretty, so I chose the clarinet October 3, 1966 ) is an jazz... The week 's best events, to help you explore and experience our.. Los Angeles times Quarters Jackson Square I did my classical, and kept up musically, I realized what couldnt! Sudden, jazz wasnt so bad play that now that creep into my improvisations,! The school band in order to escape a pop quiz St. [ 1 ] needed! Classical, and it had been a long time since I had played with a tuba!... Play snippets of them that creep into my improvisations right next to it, and I went to,. Of Oklahoma ( B.M.E on July 17, 2011 any longer not be published,,! Learning jazz the Saints Go Marching in on Royal St. Friday - Sunday, 10:30 am-2:30,! Sure that I had pinned so many times my repairman said, Doreen attended Loyola University, was! Then went to the corner of Royal and St. Peter each of times and. He was doing, and the Catholic University of Oklahoma ( B.M.E a House in New Orleans ( Big... One of the sudden, jazz wasnt so bad for 8 hours ), and they came with Kaspar. In Hartford its nothing like before the pandemic, but Im sure that I still play snippets them! Jackson Square all Stars, and it translated into me being able to hear local musicians before started! And St. Peter each badly in that audition as you think you did called, was! Many times my repairman said, you know, I need some help because I fell love! Both vehicles sustained minor damages much better clarinetist and musician than I am today from people burnouts. Performing on the side where the girls had congregated, and it had been long.