Mardi Gras With New Orleans Jazz Clarinetist Doreen Ketchens

This Fresh Air interview features Doreen Ketchens, a New Orleans jazz clarinetist and vocalist known for her decades-long street performances and unique musical style. The conversation covers her career, including her collaboration with her late husband Lawrence (who played tuba and drums simultaneously!), her influences (Louis Armstrong), and her transition from classical clarinet to jazz. Ketchens recounts anecdotes about her early life, her street performing experiences, and the challenges and rewards of her career. The interview includes musical excerpts showcasing her distinctive growl and high-note holding abilities, highlighting her distinctive sound and emotional connection to her music. Listeners gain insight into the life and artistry of a remarkable musician and the New Orleans jazz tradition.