Doreen Ketchens

Doreen Ketchens is a 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 the French Quarter of New Orleans, at a Dixieland's tradition in the Royal Street Performing Arts Zone with her band, Doreen's Jazz New Orleans. She has performed for four U.S. presidents -- Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr., Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter -- and has been described by Nola.com as one of the cultural ambassadors of New Orleans.

A pioneer for women in the music scene around New Orleans, she is one of the first female bandleaders and musical educators in and around the city. Her commitment and passion for the music she plays has resulted in her being widely considered as a cultural ambassador of New Orleans traditional music.

Nicknamed "Lady Louis" because of her ability to hit and hold powerful high notes and for her love of Louis Armstrong's performance style, she has performed with Ellis Marsalis, Jon Faddis, Trombone Shorty, Al Hirt, Dorothy Donegan, The Black Crows and Jennifer Warnes, and opened for Macy Grey and Dr. John. She has been featured in numerous documentaries about New Orleans, its music and its heritage; on radio and television shows such as "Treme," "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and CBS Sunday Morning"; and in music videos and movies, including "Out of Blue," "Come On, Come On" and "Tyler Perry’s Temptation."

In 2022, Ketchens was honored with a Doctorate degree in music from Five Towns College in New York.