Great to read the article on New Orleans (New Orleans True Royalty, by Christopher Reynolds, April 7), especially about Doreen Ketchens, an incredible jazz clarinet player, and her group. I needed some rehearsals, I thought! NS: Well the clarinet and your experience on the street has carried you worldwide. . 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. She was tasked with learning how to play the clarinet her second choice, after all the other girls signed up for the flute. Log In. 13th, 2017. My favorite band is a quintet we add guitar, Dave Hammer, and trombone, Steve Wonker. I dont like using savings, as opposed to saving savings, but thank God we had savings! Get 2023 tour dates, venue details, concert reviews, photos and more at Bandsintown. Royal St. @ St. Peter St., Friday - Sunday, 11am - 1pm. Will you relate your memories of growing up in New Orleans, what your perception of the city was, and when it was that you first became interested in music? Shell never forget her most important mission to make music accessible and shared with everyone. [7] Ketchens has been sharing traditional American Jazz in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, Russia and the United States. Warmer storms could cause problems, $950 round trip from LAX to Darwin, Australia, on Qantas, Cool, hot and close to home: Celebrate Memorial Day in Southern California, The 15 things to do in L.A. before the end of summer, Nature-curious? . BR: Please tell us about your band and its instrumentation. Preservation Hall, Doreen Ketchens to be featured on 'CBS Sunday Morning' this weekend 1 of 7 Veteran newscaster Ted Koppel, right, interviews the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in December 2021. DK: You know for me, it was just, I was on a track. 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. 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. Pomona. BR: There are some locally and internationally famous music educators associated with New Orleans. Useful 2. And I was looking around at the instruments and stuff, and I said, Wow, I saw a flute. He said, There you go, you got it! And, that was that. So, he was Uncle Al after that. As I got older, I remember one of my first recordings with Kermit Ruffins. When we think of a musician shredding out a killer solo, it's usually the guitar or the drums that first come to mind. New Orleans jazz clarinet queen Doreen Ketchens is beloved by locals and tourists alike. 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? You need to find your voice so that your personality can come out in your playing. Doreen Ketchens, on clarinet, and her band play Royal Street, New Orleans. She is an amazing clarinetist AND a buttery smooth, expressive singer. The couple began performing on the streets of New Orleans in 1987.[5]. 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. And they called it Doreens Sweet Shop because the reason it all started was because of me wanting to be queen. In the meantime, my husbands father passed away, then shortly after, my father passed away, so we moved back to New Orleans. You dont want to sound like youre playing an etude book. Police issued eight parking citations and a moving citation and impounded a vehicle, according to Pomona police spokesperson Aly Mejia. Sign Up. Everything You Need to Know About the Crawfish Boil, Your Guide to Spring Break in New Orleans. DK: Classical wise, Stanley Weinstein. 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. [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. Id start out transcribing solos, then playing by ear, copying what those clarinetists were doing. After high school, Doreen attended Loyola University, which is where she met her husband Lawrence. [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. Printed copies of The Clarinet are available for ICA members. [6] She found her passion in Jazz with Lawrence. Did you have any contact with them when you were growing up? He used to call me Ms. Joseph, my maiden name. I used to play alto sax in school, and Ive been trying to translate that into learning the clarinet (started mid 2020). They have performed with programs sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center and The US Department of State. We were going to play Duke Ellingtons Caravan. Caravan has two bridges, and he played one, while I played the other. Of course, he knew all of that, but he said to me, I kind of remember your bridge, but show me what youre doing. I said, You want me to teach you something? So, I showed him, and he nailed it, of course. When she finally did practice, her talent began to emerge. In front of the rouses around 12:30pm. International Clarinet Association. DK: Roger Lewis, with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, lived five doors away from me, and they used to practice at his apartment, so I heard them a lot! In front of 701 Royal St. Friday - Sunday, 10:30 am-2:30 pm, Proudly created by Jesse Hellmann-Contact Web Designer Here. Lawrence, my husband, had a jazz band, and all of the sudden, jazz wasnt so bad. Doreen Ketchens, on clarinet, and her band play Royal Street, New Orleans. 27 arrested during street takeover in Pomona. Doreen ran an eatery called Doreens Sweets until she and Lawrence realized they could make money following their first passion, music, after seeing so many musicians seemingly do so on the streets. AboutPressCopyrightContact. There are so many good clarinetists out there, and they want the jobs too. 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. Now that you are established, do any other bands steal your spot? 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. He could communicate even what he couldnt demonstrate any longer. Like many of New Orleans' musicians, Ketchens grew up in the Trem. Listen, listen, listen! Ben Redwine: Good afternoon, Mrs. Ketchens, it is a pleasure to speak with you! DK: Its been 30-35 years, 4 days a week. When I went to college, I didnt know what an A clarinet was, but I learned that I needed to buy one. This is another collection of great traditional jazz and gospel. In total, 27 people were arrested that night and 19 vehicles were impounded, according to CHP officials. DK: I used to call Alvin Batiste Uncle Al, because I went to NOCCA (the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) with his niece Rachel. 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. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Inside L.A.s deadly street takeover scene: A scene of lawlessness, LAPD, in crackdown on street takeovers, arrests 40 people and impounds dozens of cars, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, 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? He caught my eye and said, Come in! We started talking about Rachel, music, and my audition earlier that day. I would steal so many of his solos just so I could keep up with my husbands band. BR: You are known in New Orleans as a street musician, and you have performed on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans for many years. Some people call me Mrs. Satchmo, I guess because that concept is in my head. Dispatchers with the Pomona Police Department received a call just before 9 p.m. from a concerned citizen who reported the drivers were doing burnouts in a shopping center parking lot. Oh, man, I just learned about you. Before that, I played Buffet and Selmer, but I played them so much that they fell apart. Im like, Man, we aint never had no pop quiz, we aint gonna have no pop quiz, are you crazy? But sure enough, when we got back up to the class, there was a pop quiz. Despite that, they found success with their street shows, and eventually through jazz festivals and sales of their albums.. I Was There. 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. 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. The name eventually evolved to Doreens Jazz New Orleans, making Doreen the first female bandleader. Free concert series in the idyllic Sauk County setting of Witwen Campground. I'd bet you can go there most days to hear her. Required fields are marked *. Now it's time to discover her yourself. [1] 26. While Ketchens may prefer playing on the street, she has also demonstrated her ability to play with a classical orchestra. DK: Yes, all the time! About 100 to 150 vehicles were gathered for the takeover, at which spectators watched drivers perform dangerous stunts in their vehicles, according to authorities. 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. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) April 14, 2019 7 AM PT Great to read the article on New Orleans (". By Alexi Chidbachian. He was a special man and musician! 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! May. Link: Doreen . POMONA, Calif. - Over two dozen people were arrested during an illegal street takeover in Pomona. Do you have any thoughts about this cultural phenomenon? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Even after playing alongside other famed musicians, such as Macy Grey and The Black Crows, and performing for several dignitaries, including four U.S. presidents, Doreen has never forgotten where she started. Come and be amazed. BR: How are you faring with this pandemic we are all suffering through, and how are you coping with the sudden change in livelihood and lifestyle? Mr. Marsalis had a way of looking straight through you when you didnt do what you were supposed to. Doreen Ketchens playing on Royal Street in the French Quarter. You must have confidence when you are playing music! Mr. Batiste was a rocket scientist. Then, I transferred to Loyola University, where I studied with Stanley Weinstein. Los Angeles, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, A record 6,542 guns were intercepted at U.S. airports in 2022, How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Rachel Bloom, More than 2,000 flights canceled amid workers strike at seven German airports, U.S. State Department warns to avoid parts of Mexico over ongoing violence, kidnappings. Nathan Solis is a Metro reporter covering breaking news at the Los Angeles Times. I saw her yesterday on Royal St. 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. 2023 GoNOLA.com, New Orleans & Company. 290. That would be really cool. 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. ), Louisiana State University (M.M. Tickets and RSVP information for Doreen Ketchens's upcoming concert at Royal Street Performing Arts Zone in New Orleans on Feb 17, 2022. They would practice marching, and pass right in front of my house. 2023 Copyright. Still to this day, nobody plays like Stanley. Give me, a kiss to build a dream on . The only relief I got in that class was when Mr. Marsalis stopped trashing me in class to start trashing Harry! BR: There is a protocol for claiming a spot on the street in New Orleans. More than 25 Million People have loved and shared Doreen Ketchens video clips on YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Lets jump right in! Only recently did I start looking for other reeds. I didnt even know what it was called, it just looked pretty, so I chose the clarinet! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Im thinking of Ellis Marsalis and Alvin Batiste. It was a brutal test, each student was asked questions you were either right or wrong, pass or fail. She. Jazz clarinetist and music educator Doreen Ketchens is famous for her performances on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The takeover group headed north toward Roselawn Avenue and Pomona Boulevard, where they continued to perform dangerous maneuvers in their cars, according to police. Doreen Ketchens: Hello! I remember running down the hall breathing a sigh of relief, having gotten out of the test. I started playing jazz because I fell in love with a tuba player! I sat on the side where the girls had congregated, and I saw a poster of a flute. To get out of a pop quiz, she responded to an announcement asking interested students to come and sign up for the band. DK: Its a passion. DK: I was in fifth grade, we were at lunch, and there was a rumor going around that wed have a pop quiz. I had rarely played with a symphony, and it had been a long time since I had played with him. Authorities said they impounded 19 vehicles in connection with the street takeover near the intersection of Rio Rancho Road and Rancho Valley Drive. Want this Picture? I approached Mr. Marsalis, and said, You know, I need some help. The California Highway Patrol arrested 27 suspects in connection with a street takeover in Pomona on Sunday. It wasnt like a dream, I was really trying to get out of a history test! He retired to New Orleans, where he performs frequently in both classical and jazz genres. I wasnt interested in jazz at all. FREE Weekly Roundup! He passed by me, then backed up and said Ms. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Ketchens Jim Realty locations in Pomona, CA. 11:00a to 3p., weather permitting. 31K views 5 years. Back then, girls played certain instruments and boys played certain instruments. You know what I mean? Jazz funerals and parades passed in front of my home several times each month. I sat down, virtually, with Doreen Ketchens in November 2020. 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. How did he do that? Then, I listened to the clarinetists who played with him: Edmund Hall, Buster Bailey, Barney Bigard. 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! 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. The vast majority of arrests were for spectating and/or participating in an illegal street takeover. Jupiter, Venus meet for rare conjunction. I was destroying these beautiful instruments in the weather, so Im glad I found this composite clarinet. For all of the nicknames for New Orleans (the Big Easy, the Crescent City, etc. Early on, I emulated Jerry Fuller, clarinetist with the Dukes of Dixieland. They had a pageant every year, which was a fundraiser, and it was around Mardi Gras time. It was a very common instrument. Ben Redwine retired from the United Stated Naval Academy Band in 2014. I enjoyed the article Los Cabos, So Luxe, by Rosemary McClure (March 31). Your email address will not be published. The CHP Baldwin Park station did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 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. I learned a lot from him! 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. When officers arrived on scene, they saw a large plume of tire smoke caused by numerous burnouts as well as people attempting to flee the location. So, he said, You must think positively. Royal Street Performing Arts Zone. 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. 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