Resting on the southeastern coast of Louisiana, New Orleans’ rich history and colossal sound has pumped a kind of zealous wonderment throughout the nation for decades. Countless amounts of talented musicians have emerged from the state’s southernmost region to create authentic music rooted deep in Dixieland jazz and Cajun bayou influences.

Tapping his way to success with a pair of seasoned drumsticks and a humble smile, New Orleans jazz drummer Louis Timken fashioned himself an exhilarating career over the span of his life. While the musician’s fierce determination and incredible talent are undoubtedly partially responsible for his accomplishments, a constant flow of love and support from Timken’s No. 1 fan and faithful wife, Faye, are the key musical notes that tied it all together.

Born and raised in The Big Easy, Timken’s interest in the drums was first sparked in the third grade by a nun who abruptly approached him about playing drums in the class band while he was going to Catholic school. After being handed the drumsticks, Timken became fascinated with the instrument and never looked back.

“I loved it,” Timken says. “I found I had a real talent for playing the drums and so that’s what I set my sights on.”

While Louis put in long hours practicing the drums and studying the influences of New Orleans jazz, Faye spent her youth growing up in the shade of Northern Mississippi. With brother Dewey Riddle by her side, Faye enjoyed a modest upbringing in Biloxi, Miss. until she eventually made a fateful move to New Orleans.

“I first got married at a young age,” Faye says. “My first husband was killed in a plane crash and some years later I met Lou.”

Meanwhile, Louis steadily worked at building up an impressive musical resume, playing in both his high school band and an army band during the Korean War. After years of dedication to his craft, Timken earned the reputation of a well-respected drummer and while still in his teens, began playing for the legendary trumpeter and bandleader, Al Hirt.

“Lou used to play in night clubs with Al Hirt that he wouldn’t have legally been able to get into because of his age,” Faye says. “Lou was very smart but he made the decision to leave school to play with Al Hirt. One day, his father said, ‘If you don’t come back and graduate, I’ll burn your drums!’ After that, Louis went back and graduated from school.”

With each passing gig and each new arrangement played, Timken gained a plethora of knowledge and a fresh story to keep in his back pocket for walks down memory lane. Along with teaching a beginning and intermediate collegiate percussion course, Timken studied piano, played for eight years at the Playboy club with Al Belletto and performed at the top of The Mart with the New Sounds Over New Orleans, a gig that not only led to recording on vinyl records but also, landed him his wife, Faye.

“He flirted with me,” Faye says. “We married when I was 44. We never had children although he has three from a previous marriage.”

Timken went on to eventually make television appearances playing back up for big names like Pete Fountain and was once coined the “first white drummer to play Bop.” Throughout the span of his rewarding career, he made 13 albums with various bands and eventually played for Andy Griffith.

Whether it was the drummer’s passionate flair for the instrument or a Cajun influence ingrained deep in his bones as jazz in New Orleans, Timken and his drumsticks constantly traveled ahead in pursuit of their next musical adventure.

Years later, when Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans and devastated the city, the Timkens were forced to evacuate their house and stay with various family members for a time.

“Everything was ruined,” Faye says. “The entire area was completely destroyed and if there would have been something to go back to we would’ve gone back, but there wasn’t.”

The couple was able to salvage a fraction of their belongings from the wreckage, although many things were quite damaged. Serendipitously, the only possession left in mint condition after the hurricane was Louis’ Premier drum kit, sitting pleasantly in the corner where he’d left it at his church, untouched and bravely surviving a storm that had wiped out so much in its destructive path.

Shortly after, Faye’s niece, Kimberly Kallenberger, took the couple into her family’s home here in San Antonio until the Timkens found Independence Hill, a suitable and relaxing retirement community.

“They stayed with me for a few months until they found Independence Hill,” Kallenberger says. “My aunt was really impressed with it. She liked it a lot, which is amazing. She had lived in that house since she was in her early 20s, maybe even younger, and it was like she picked up, moved on and never looked back.”

Kallenberger’s childhood memories of time spent with her aunt and uncle are sparkling and kind, with fond recollections of family swimming trips. Listening to Louis play the drums for hours on end are among her favorites.

“They are the kindest and most loving people I’ve ever known in my life,” Kallenberger says. “Both of them are incredibly sweet, happy and in spite of what they’ve been through, always in a good mood.”

With those old New Orleans jazz horns blowing and the rhythmic bop drums rolling at an energetic crescendo, Faye and Louis Timken have composed a sweet and melodious life brought together by a wealth of love, respect, positivity and music. Now unwinding at Independence Hill, the couple regularly takes time to look back at past experiences, relishing in their accomplishments and joyous memories.

“He did it all and he loved it all,” Faye says. “I’ve always been very proud of him and the way he really makes music come alive.”