The road to New Orleans was frustratingly long and hard. Three voyages to Europe, Africa and New Zealand were undertaken before Ken secured the position of second cook on a cargo ship operating out of Mobile, Alabama. Trading between ports in the U.S.A. and South America, there was always the possibility of trips to the port of New Orleans.

The first voyage took Ken to Venezuala, up the Orinoco River and back to Mobile by way of Trinidad. He was then able to contact Dr. Edmond Souchon, whose telephone number Ken had obtained from a New Orleans telephone directory found in the Westminster Public Library. Doc Souchon informed Ken that there was to be a special session on Gravier Street featuring the George Lewis Band. This news inspired Ken to undertake a ‘day trip’ by Greyhound bus to the Crescent City.

The George Lewis Band, however, was unable to appear and the Paul Barbarin Band deputised. Ken also heard the Octave Crosby Band at the Paddock on Basin Street.

This visit lasted for just a few short hours, but Ken met and talked with legendary musicians, Kid Howard, Johnny Wiggs, Lester Santiago, the great jazz singer Lizzie Miles and many more. Kid Howard invited Ken to sit-in with the Barbarin Band for a few numbers, even loaning Ken his trumpet. This was the start of many lasting friendships.

Back to Mobile and more trips to Central and South America, but none to New Orleans. Drastic action was needed. Landing in Mobile on November 24th 1952, Ken obtained a 29 day visa, jumped ship and bought a one way ticket to New Orleans.

During his time in New Orleans, Ken was well received and got enormous help from several people: Dick Allen, Doc Souchon, Lizzie Miles, John and Ursula Bernard, to name just a few. Above all, he met, talked, played and made recordings with many of the great names of the day. This was the start of a life-long friendship with George Lewis, Percy Humphrey and many others involved in the jazz scene, too numerous to mention here.

Ken’s visa expired on Christmas Day and, when he went to the immigration office immediately it re-opened after the holiday, he was arrested and put into the Parish Prison for deportation. He remained there until 5th February, when he was released on bail to the Bernards.

Deportation was looming, but Ken continued to sit-in whenever he could and made some hush-hush recordings with Emile Barnes and others with the help of John Bernard.

To his dismay, Ken learned that George Lewis had wanted Ken to be his trumpeter on a tour of California, but, because of the deportation, George was taking Kid Howard. Ken could only reflect on what might have been.