Meet the Collective: Louis Ford

Louis Ford grew up surrounded by musicians. As a kid, he started his days early every morning with his father, the great Clarence Ford, practicing on clarinet.

Louis and his father, who performed with greats such as Fats Domino, descend from a long line of New Orleans musicians, tracing back to 1856 with the arrival of bassist Narcisse Gabriel from Santo Domingo. Musical family members include uncles Percy and Manny Gabriel, and cousins, drummer Frank Oxley and Charlie Gabriel of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

In junior high, Louis was already proficient on clarinet when he picked up the sax. He attended NOCCA, and stood alongside his father playing in the William Houston Orchestra, becoming friends with numerous stellar musicians, including clarinetist Manuel Crusto.

Louis studied under the principal clarinetist of the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra; with Kidd Jordan at Southern University; and the noted clarinetist and educator Alvin Baptiste, earning his degree in music education at Loyola.

Among several teaching positions, Louis has served as the director of the Lafayette Academy Charter School’s band program, and as assistant musical director at McDonough 15 alongside the beloved Preservation Hall bassist Walter Payton. Today, Louis performs with numerous bands, has recorded several albums and toured the world with musicians such as Harry Connick Jr., Wallace Davenport, Teddy Riley and Danny Barker.

Louis currently serves a vital role at the Preservation Hall Foundation as one of our Teaching Artists, providing free music education programming for local schoolchildren. We can’t wait to have him back at 726 St. Peter.