BIG CHIEF ALFRED DOUCETTE

Biography

Big Chief Alfred Doucette was born on October 27, 1940, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is recognized as the oldest living Mardi Gras Indian Chief born and raised in the city. As a Mardi Gras Indian, Doucette carries forward a cultural tradition over 150 years old that honors Native American roots in Louisiana and commemorates the tribes who sheltered escaping African slaves. The tradition emerged through the integration of cultures during Mardi Gras celebrations, with practitioners becoming known as "Black Masking Indians." Doucette is a charismatic performer with a strong and quirky tenor voice characterized by a tart, stinging tonality that distinguishes his musical presence.

Beyond his role as a cultural icon, Doucette is a multifaceted entrepreneur and musician. He owned the legendary Nite Cap nightclub in New Orleans during the 1970s, which became a hub for R&B touring acts and local greats including the Neville Brothers and Marvin Gaye. The Nite Cap operated with remarkable success, regularly drawing crowds of over a thousand people nightly. Doucette began his singing career later in life, hitting his stride at age 70, and has since become a fixture on Frenchmen Street and other New Orleans music venues. Since 2005, he has performed regularly with vocalist Lani Ramos (known as Big Pearl), creating a dynamic musical partnership that blends New Orleans classics, R&B standards, and original compositions.

Doucette's artistic legacy extends beyond performance into activism and education. As chief of the Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indian gang, he meticulously sews his own Mardi Gras Indian suits, with each design incorporating distinctive and often controversial messages reflecting his commitment to human rights activism. At over 80 years old, he continues to hand-sew every bead himself and teaches children and adult friends his sewing techniques, using his Indian suits as a canvas for cultural transmission. His contributions to New Orleans music and culture have established him as a living legend and treasure of the city.

Fun Facts

• Doucette began his singing career at age 70, proving it's never too late to pursue musical ambitions, and has continued performing actively into his 80s.
• He owned and operated the legendary Nite Cap nightclub in New Orleans during the 1970s, which regularly drew crowds exceeding 1,000 people nightly and outperformed competing clubs on Claywood Street.
• Every bead on his Mardi Gras Indian suits is sewn by hand by Doucette himself, with each suit incorporating distinctive messages reflecting his activism and social consciousness.
• The Nite Cap was the first venue to book major R&B acts like David Ruffin, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and the Shylights, establishing it as a launching pad for touring artists.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Native American tribal traditions - Cultural and spiritual foundation for Mardi Gras Indian practice and identity (Mardi Gras Indian suit design and performance tradition) [1940s-present]

Key Collaborators

• Lani Ramos (Big Pearl) - Regular performance partner and vocalist; dynamic musical duo performing together since 2005 in New Orleans and Los Angeles (Mardi Gras Rock Show of New Orleans; duet performances of classics like 'Let The Good Times Roll') [2005-present]
• Rick Whitfield - Recording artist and collaborator in special presentations (Mardi Gras Rock Show of New Orleans) [2023]
• Roland Doucette - Brother and co-operator of the Nite Cap nightclub (Nite Cap nightclub operations) [1971-1970s]
• Sterling Doucette - Brother and co-operator of the Nite Cap nightclub (Nite Cap nightclub operations) [1971-1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Local students and community members - Teaching sewing techniques and Mardi Gras Indian cultural practices (Mardi Gras Indian suit construction and design) [2000s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Marie Laveau (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
2. Fire on the Bayou (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
3. Louisiana Pray (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
4. Three in the Morning (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
5. If You Want Me To Stay (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
6. Ooh Poo Pa Doo (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
7. Let the Good Times Roll (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
8. Roll Ya Belly (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
9. Use Me (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)
10. Stagger Lee (Rollin' Wit Da Legends & Marie Laveau)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)