Obituary
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
22 Dec 2011
KETCHUM CAPTURED JAZZ CLUB SCENE
When he wasn't selling cars or working some other day job, Walt Ketchum usually could be found at the business end of a trumpet.
Jazz was his specialty--including big band and Dixieland--and Ketchum played the club scene for decades in Milwaukee.
"He was one of the top trumpet players in town for many years," said Ted Torcivia, who played trombone alongside Ketchum. "I played in bands with him for maybe 15 years."
Walter Ketchum Jr. died of prostate and bone cancer Nov. 30. He was 79.
Ketchum didn't want a paid death notice or any kind of formal service, said longtime friend Winnoka Nelson. He apparently didn't think to ban a feature obituary, so this is now in keeping with his friends' wishes.
He played with some of the top musicians performing here, including clarinetist Chuck Hedges, pianist Ziggy Millonzi and trumpeter Dick Ruedebusch.
"Walt played with the North Water Street Tavern Band--Dixieland--at Someplace Else," Torcivia said of the well-known jazz spot. "That evolved into Ziggy Millonzi's band."
Ketchum was probably best known as the leader of the house band at the Pfister Hotel's Crown Room through much of the 1970s. The group first played as a backup band, but became the main show when a headliner canceled at the last minute.
The band played six nights a week at the Crown Room, whether a national act was in the house or not. Ketchum sang and did emcee duty, too.
Professional credits included performing as co-leader of Millonzi's T.K. Express and as leader of the Jazz Caravan quartet at the Bombay Bicycle Club Lounge at the Marc Plaza downtown.
Ketchum grew up in South Milwaukee, first playing for school dances and leading his own band in high school.
Among his more memorable gigs was a stint at a local striptease club.
"Where else can you get paid for enjoying the scenery?" he later quipped.
Years later, one gig wasn't even based on land.
"Every summer, he played on a tour boat on Lake Geneva," said Nelson.
His day jobs included selling cars for local dealerships.
In 1969, that became part of the introduction, with announcer Jack Baker asking, "Would you buy a used car from this man?"
"I don't sell used cars anymore," jazzman Ketchum deadpanned. "I've been promoted to the new car department."
"He got a lot of laughs," Nelson said. "He had an easy way of talking and a wonderful speaking voice. He was a lot of fun to be around."
Ketchum also worked as a cabdriver and dispatcher and in advertising sales.
A confirmed bachelor, he was someone who appreciated his music and his friends, she said. He also was something of an expert on cars, racing, aeronautics and collectables.
"Walt was sort of a vagabond," she said. "He was very versatile, and he was a very popular person."
His friends now plan to hold a gathering--nothing formal--in his honor. It will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Heaven City in Mukwonago.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
22 Dec 2011
KETCHUM CAPTURED JAZZ CLUB SCENE
When he wasn't selling cars or working some other day job, Walt Ketchum usually could be found at the business end of a trumpet.
Jazz was his specialty--including big band and Dixieland--and Ketchum played the club scene for decades in Milwaukee.
"He was one of the top trumpet players in town for many years," said Ted Torcivia, who played trombone alongside Ketchum. "I played in bands with him for maybe 15 years."
Walter Ketchum Jr. died of prostate and bone cancer Nov. 30. He was 79.
Ketchum didn't want a paid death notice or any kind of formal service, said longtime friend Winnoka Nelson. He apparently didn't think to ban a feature obituary, so this is now in keeping with his friends' wishes.
He played with some of the top musicians performing here, including clarinetist Chuck Hedges, pianist Ziggy Millonzi and trumpeter Dick Ruedebusch.
"Walt played with the North Water Street Tavern Band--Dixieland--at Someplace Else," Torcivia said of the well-known jazz spot. "That evolved into Ziggy Millonzi's band."
Ketchum was probably best known as the leader of the house band at the Pfister Hotel's Crown Room through much of the 1970s. The group first played as a backup band, but became the main show when a headliner canceled at the last minute.
The band played six nights a week at the Crown Room, whether a national act was in the house or not. Ketchum sang and did emcee duty, too.
Professional credits included performing as co-leader of Millonzi's T.K. Express and as leader of the Jazz Caravan quartet at the Bombay Bicycle Club Lounge at the Marc Plaza downtown.
Ketchum grew up in South Milwaukee, first playing for school dances and leading his own band in high school.
Among his more memorable gigs was a stint at a local striptease club.
"Where else can you get paid for enjoying the scenery?" he later quipped.
Years later, one gig wasn't even based on land.
"Every summer, he played on a tour boat on Lake Geneva," said Nelson.
His day jobs included selling cars for local dealerships.
In 1969, that became part of the introduction, with announcer Jack Baker asking, "Would you buy a used car from this man?"
"I don't sell used cars anymore," jazzman Ketchum deadpanned. "I've been promoted to the new car department."
"He got a lot of laughs," Nelson said. "He had an easy way of talking and a wonderful speaking voice. He was a lot of fun to be around."
Ketchum also worked as a cabdriver and dispatcher and in advertising sales.
A confirmed bachelor, he was someone who appreciated his music and his friends, she said. He also was something of an expert on cars, racing, aeronautics and collectables.
"Walt was sort of a vagabond," she said. "He was very versatile, and he was a very popular person."
His friends now plan to hold a gathering--nothing formal--in his honor. It will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Heaven City in Mukwonago.
Obituary
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
22 Dec 2011
KETCHUM CAPTURED JAZZ CLUB SCENE
When he wasn't selling cars or working some other day job, Walt Ketchum usually could be found at the business end of a trumpet.
Jazz was his specialty--including big band and Dixieland--and Ketchum played the club scene for decades in Milwaukee.
"He was one of the top trumpet players in town for many years," said Ted Torcivia, who played trombone alongside Ketchum. "I played in bands with him for maybe 15 years."
Walter Ketchum Jr. died of prostate and bone cancer Nov. 30. He was 79.
Ketchum didn't want a paid death notice or any kind of formal service, said longtime friend Winnoka Nelson. He apparently didn't think to ban a feature obituary, so this is now in keeping with his friends' wishes.
He played with some of the top musicians performing here, including clarinetist Chuck Hedges, pianist Ziggy Millonzi and trumpeter Dick Ruedebusch.
"Walt played with the North Water Street Tavern Band--Dixieland--at Someplace Else," Torcivia said of the well-known jazz spot. "That evolved into Ziggy Millonzi's band."
Ketchum was probably best known as the leader of the house band at the Pfister Hotel's Crown Room through much of the 1970s. The group first played as a backup band, but became the main show when a headliner canceled at the last minute.
The band played six nights a week at the Crown Room, whether a national act was in the house or not. Ketchum sang and did emcee duty, too.
Professional credits included performing as co-leader of Millonzi's T.K. Express and as leader of the Jazz Caravan quartet at the Bombay Bicycle Club Lounge at the Marc Plaza downtown.
Ketchum grew up in South Milwaukee, first playing for school dances and leading his own band in high school.
Among his more memorable gigs was a stint at a local striptease club.
"Where else can you get paid for enjoying the scenery?" he later quipped.
Years later, one gig wasn't even based on land.
"Every summer, he played on a tour boat on Lake Geneva," said Nelson.
His day jobs included selling cars for local dealerships.
In 1969, that became part of the introduction, with announcer Jack Baker asking, "Would you buy a used car from this man?"
"I don't sell used cars anymore," jazzman Ketchum deadpanned. "I've been promoted to the new car department."
"He got a lot of laughs," Nelson said. "He had an easy way of talking and a wonderful speaking voice. He was a lot of fun to be around."
Ketchum also worked as a cabdriver and dispatcher and in advertising sales.
A confirmed bachelor, he was someone who appreciated his music and his friends, she said. He also was something of an expert on cars, racing, aeronautics and collectables.
"Walt was sort of a vagabond," she said. "He was very versatile, and he was a very popular person."
His friends now plan to hold a gathering--nothing formal--in his honor. It will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Heaven City in Mukwonago.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
22 Dec 2011
KETCHUM CAPTURED JAZZ CLUB SCENE
When he wasn't selling cars or working some other day job, Walt Ketchum usually could be found at the business end of a trumpet.
Jazz was his specialty--including big band and Dixieland--and Ketchum played the club scene for decades in Milwaukee.
"He was one of the top trumpet players in town for many years," said Ted Torcivia, who played trombone alongside Ketchum. "I played in bands with him for maybe 15 years."
Walter Ketchum Jr. died of prostate and bone cancer Nov. 30. He was 79.
Ketchum didn't want a paid death notice or any kind of formal service, said longtime friend Winnoka Nelson. He apparently didn't think to ban a feature obituary, so this is now in keeping with his friends' wishes.
He played with some of the top musicians performing here, including clarinetist Chuck Hedges, pianist Ziggy Millonzi and trumpeter Dick Ruedebusch.
"Walt played with the North Water Street Tavern Band--Dixieland--at Someplace Else," Torcivia said of the well-known jazz spot. "That evolved into Ziggy Millonzi's band."
Ketchum was probably best known as the leader of the house band at the Pfister Hotel's Crown Room through much of the 1970s. The group first played as a backup band, but became the main show when a headliner canceled at the last minute.
The band played six nights a week at the Crown Room, whether a national act was in the house or not. Ketchum sang and did emcee duty, too.
Professional credits included performing as co-leader of Millonzi's T.K. Express and as leader of the Jazz Caravan quartet at the Bombay Bicycle Club Lounge at the Marc Plaza downtown.
Ketchum grew up in South Milwaukee, first playing for school dances and leading his own band in high school.
Among his more memorable gigs was a stint at a local striptease club.
"Where else can you get paid for enjoying the scenery?" he later quipped.
Years later, one gig wasn't even based on land.
"Every summer, he played on a tour boat on Lake Geneva," said Nelson.
His day jobs included selling cars for local dealerships.
In 1969, that became part of the introduction, with announcer Jack Baker asking, "Would you buy a used car from this man?"
"I don't sell used cars anymore," jazzman Ketchum deadpanned. "I've been promoted to the new car department."
"He got a lot of laughs," Nelson said. "He had an easy way of talking and a wonderful speaking voice. He was a lot of fun to be around."
Ketchum also worked as a cabdriver and dispatcher and in advertising sales.
A confirmed bachelor, he was someone who appreciated his music and his friends, she said. He also was something of an expert on cars, racing, aeronautics and collectables.
"Walt was sort of a vagabond," she said. "He was very versatile, and he was a very popular person."
His friends now plan to hold a gathering--nothing formal--in his honor. It will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Heaven City in Mukwonago.
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