This is FRESH air.
I'm Tonya Moseley, and if you're ever in the French Quarter in New Orleans,
chances are you've spotted my guest today, clarinetist and vocalist Doreen ketchens.
For over 30 years, she's performed on the corner of Royal and St. Peter street four days a week,
sometimes 12 hours a day, with her band, Doreen's Jazz New Orleans.
Doreen Ketchens has many nicknames, Lady Louis,
Queen clarinet and Ms. Satchmo nods to her passionate performances of Dixieland and traditional jazz
and for her ability to hit and hold high notes for long periods of time.
Like the great trumpeter Louis Armstrong, Catchens has performed for four US presidents,
Bill Clinton, George H.W. bush, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.
And initially she played classical clarinet before her late husband, Lawrence Ketchens,
introduced her to jazz while the two were students at Loyola University University.
Lawrence was an accomplished musician in his own right, too.
As part of Doreen's band, he played the tuba, valve trombone, drums and piano,
becoming a major attraction for his ability to play the sousaphone and drums at the same time.
A few years ago, Ketchens fulfilled her dream of performing at the Kennedy Center.
She's also played with orchestras around the world.
Doreen Catchens, welcome to FRESH air.
Thanks for having me.
I want to offer my sincerest condolences on the loss of your husband Lawrence,