Lawrence Ketchens

Lawrence Henry Ketchens II passed away on January 31, 2025; he was 61. A beloved figure in New Orleans, with his wife Doreen Ketchens he was an ambassador of the city’s music to both tourists on the street and fans around the world. A multi-instrumentalist, he was heard primarily on tuba and trombone, but also played drums and piano. He was the first to play sousaphone and drums simultaneously.

Lawrence met Doreen while both were studying music at Loyola and they founded Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans in 1987. While they began performing on the streets of the French Quarter, and would always maintain a presence there, the band quickly gained popularity with the public and notice from jazz figures around the world. They traveled extensively, playing in Africa and Thailand, as well as all the European festivals. Lawrence and the band performed for four US Presidents.

While Doreen and her clarinet were the focus, Lawrence contributed a steady rhythm, intense solos, and arranged and produced their shows and the many “Music in the Schools” workshops they led. Over the decades Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans has released at least 30 albums and three DVDs, spreading their message with video long before camera phones sent New Orleans street performances viral. The band appeared in HBO’s Treme, and on Comedy Central’s Drunk History, as well as late night and morning shows. They collaborated with several generations of New Orleans icons, from Danny Barker, Al Hirt, and Pete Fountain, to Trombone Shorty. A large jazz funeral was held in the city on February 14th, Valentine’s Day.