My school had an arrangement with the New Orleans Philharmonic where we would hear the symphony several times a year, so I had a pretty wide exposure to two genres of music, funky jazz street beats and classical music. Want this Picture? 31K views 5 years. Press J to jump to the feed. Email will originate from news@neworleans.com. The corner of Royal and St. Peter became their own stage, and it has been so prominent and successful, that it is unlikely that any other band will be found playing on their territory. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Jupiter and Venus meet for rare conjunction. She is our main drummer. 26. Find hidden gems and get insider information on NOLAs best restaurants, bars, attractions, and events every week. Weve had 80-year-olds sound like they are 17, and weve had 17-year-olds sound like theyre 80! May. As California continues to deal with the wrath of the winter storms, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for more than a dozen counties. Published September 6, 2022. [3], Ketchens began playing in Jackson Square with her first band, the Jackson Square All-Stars. Thats fantastic, thank you!! About Doreen Ketchens. Doreen Ketchens is an American jazz clarinetist who performs Dixieland and Trad Jazz. . I was destroying these beautiful instruments in the weather, so Im glad I found this composite clarinet. (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? That would be really cool. 2017. Here is a video I found on YouTube to better introduce you to Doreen Ketchens, the Jazz Clarinet Queen of New Orleans: When you visit New Orleans, do yourself a favor and track down Doreen Ketchens. The California Highway Patrol followed the group to the location and closed off a street, blocking in the vehicles. He is super cute Related Topics New Orleans Orleans Parish Louisiana United States of America North America Place comments sorted by . DK: You know for me, it was just, I was on a track. Those cats were awesome too! Thats when I discovered Doreen on YouTube. I have tried googling without any real success. And, it was like a key opening a door, which made me able to play the song! Of all the clarinetists in the city, only one is sometimes called Lady Louis, or the Female Louis Armstrong, or Queen Clarinet. Doreen Ketchens has been performing in New Orleans, mostly on Royal Street, for decades. Before that, I played Buffet and Selmer, but I played them so much that they fell apart. I needed some rehearsals, I thought! So I told my mom, I ran home, I said, Mom we have to raise some money because I want to be queen, and all this other stuff, and she said, Well what Ill do is Ill just sell a little candy out of the front door, and thats what she did. I was warming up, and Mr. Marsalis walked in. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Id find a recording of the song we were supposed to play, and just play along, figuring out the tune, and what to play to sound good. 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. New Orleans, LA. I started playing clarinet in the fifth grade. He gave me some advice which I didnt really understand, then he said retrogression. I still didnt understand him, but he said it again, then showed me on the piano. 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 . Doreen Ketchens, dubbed "Lady Louis" is one of the world's greatest living Jazz clarinetists. Listen, listen, listen! It should be noted that an unfortunate result of resorts being built to indulge Americans desire for exclusivity is the elimination of public access for Mexican citizens. I Was There. Earlier in his career, he worked for Eastsider L.A. Give me, a kiss to build a dream on . Why, you might ask, is this classically trained phenom, who has played for four presidents; who was dubbed "Lady Louis" and whose sound has been compared to the great Sidney Bechet, performing "al fresco" on the streets of NOLA?Two simple answers: She carries on the fine heritage of live music played in the streets of the Big Easy for more than a century, and, because you will, after listening for a few moments, be more than happy to pay for your listening pleasure with a generous tip, or, more often, by taking home one of Doreen's wonderful CDs as a treasure of your visit and your time with her.Royal Street - French Quarter, Royal Street & St. Peter is where you'll meet her! He used to call me Ms. Joseph, my maiden name. I just thought it was so pretty, but when I played it, it sounded terrible until I changed reeds to 4.5, and then it was amazing. As I got older, I remember one of my first recordings with Kermit Ruffins. 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. Only recently did I start looking for other reeds. He was just being kind to me, I think, and showing that sometimes the teacher can become the student. She is the woman who defied the rejection she received early in her career, but always continues to go back to her corner in front of the Rouses to play with her family. 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. In front of Rouse's on Royal St., usually midday to early afternoon, Thursday thru Sunday. There are so many good clarinetists out there, and they want the jobs too. She has been featured in numerous documentaries about New Orleans, its music, and its heritage, and she has been seen on television in shows like HBO's Treme. Walking down Royal Street on a sunny afternoon, you are very likely to find Doreen Ketchens wailing on her clarinet, leading an enthusiastic band and delighting passersby with her vibrant personality and bold, joyful sound. Ketchens' group appears at Jazz Festivals in New Orleans and at music festivals, fairs, and showcases throughout the world. In front of 701 Royal St. Friday - Sunday, 10:30 am-2:30 pm, Proudly created by Jesse Hellmann-Contact Web Designer Here. Im thinking of Ellis Marsalis and Alvin Batiste. On a recent weekend, the task force issued 300 citations, impound 50 vehicles, and arrested 20 individuals, according to the CHP website. NS: Well the clarinet and your experience on the street has carried you worldwide. 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. Im not a child anymore, but Im going to be okay! In fact, as I'm writing this, my foot is happily tapping to one of her CDs that we bought. Authorities claim they found a firearm and drugs in one of the vehicles. He said, There you go, you got it! And, that was that. She tells Ben Redwine for Clarinet.org: It's been 30-35 years, 4 days a week. [4] She studied clarinet in elementary school, beginning as a fifth-grader at Joseph Craig Elementary. ), Louisiana State University (M.M. I dont care what you were talking about, he was a genius. BR: Tell us about the equipment you play. California Highway Patrol officers were called to assist the Pomona Police Department Sunday night when a large group of vehicles took part in a street takeover. Doreen Ketchens playing When the Saints Go Marching In on Royal Street in New Orleans. She. 2023 Copyright. Sign Up. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Learn more by exploring the site, and feel free to get in touch with any of your comments and questions. The misinformation created a near panic among travelers. We havent played on the street since March, but we have been playing. 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 doing the Court of Two Sisters brunch Sunday, so thats perfect. Still to this day, nobody plays like Stanley. So I looked out the window as I often did to the sky and I said, God, if you get me out of this, Ill do anything. And about two minutes later, the principal came on the loudspeaker, and she said, Anybody interested in joining the band, report to the band room immediately. I raised my hand, and that band director, you know, he was only there for a certain amount of time so, you know, he didnt pick everybody but he did pick me. Her group is Doreen's Jazz New Orleans. DK: I always have saved for a rainy day, but I didnt know it would be a rainy year! DK: Thank you! I learned a lot from him! A driver who allegedly rammed his vehicle into a police cruiser while attempting to flee a street takeover in Pomona was arrested along with 26 other people at the . 27 arrested during street takeover in Pomona. That's when I discovered Doreen on YouTube. [5], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doreen%27s_Jazz_New_Orleans&oldid=1116900736, This page was last edited on 18 October 2022, at 22:47. It plays really well, and I dont have to worry about the heat or cold. I encourage readers to visit my website: doreensjazz.com, where you can learn more about me and where you can purchase recordings, and even get in touch with me yourself! A stylistically unique ensemble from day one, the members of Doreen's Jazz have been singing, performing, and playing in sync as if theyd been together their entire musical careers. The name eventually evolved to Doreens Jazz New Orleans, making Doreen the first female bandleader. . My husbandhe was my boyfriend at the timehe said, Well we could do that. Im like, Man you must be crazy, Ive been to college, Im not playing no music on the street. But love makes you do crazy things. The band room is bigger than any other class, and its got pictures of all of these beautiful instruments and stuff like that, which was really cool. And they called it Doreens Sweet Shop because the reason it all started was because of me wanting to be queen. While Ketchens may prefer playing on the street, she has also demonstrated her ability to play with a classical orchestra. Despite that, they found success with their street shows, and eventually through jazz festivals and sales of their albums.. Even if you get told no, keep pursuing your dreams. According to CHP- Baldwin Park Office, while one person was attempting to leave, they intentionally rammed into a CHP patrol vehicle. 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. Printed copies of The Clarinet are available for ICA members. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. There is a growing backlash in some neighborhoods, with residents demanding authorities do more to crack down on the illegal gatherings that can turn deadly in a flash. We are clarinet cousins! It was under the guidance of her junior high school band director that she was pushed into practicing more, and in high school, while attending John F. Kennedy High School, she was accepted into the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts an arts conservatory for Louisiana high school students, responsible for graduates like Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, Wendell Pierce, Trombone Shorty, Harry Connick Jr, and Terrance Osborne, among others. DK: When I started, all I could do was play melodies. They had a pageant every year, which was a fundraiser, and it was around Mardi Gras time. He was a very gifted educator. 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. Doreen's Jazz, performing on Royal Street in front of Rouse's Market in the French Quarter. This is another collection of great traditional jazz and gospel. In front of the rouses around 12:30pm. 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. So, I started to look for a new mouthpiece, and I saw the DAddario marbled mouthpiece. Log In. What is the name of this blonde guy who plays the guitar in Doreen's band @ the royal street? No officers were injured and both vehicles sustained minor damages. I dont remember those solos now, but Im sure that I still play snippets of them that creep into my improvisations. Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed demonstrated... Location and closed off a street, blocking in the weather, so Im glad I this... Before that, they found success with their street shows, and it was just doreen ketchens royal street played! Doreen on YouTube, or redistributed only recently did I start looking for other reeds performing in New Orleans mostly! 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