Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave

Troy Andrews, known as Trombone Shorty, was born on January 2, 1986, in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was raised in a family deeply immersed in the local music traditions, including jazz and R&B, and participated in second line parades from a young age. At four years old, he began playing the trombone, an instrument gifted by his brother. His talent was recognized early, leading to a performance with Bo Diddley at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the age of four. By six, he was leading his own brass band, demonstrating an innate musical leadership. Andrews developed his skills at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and was mentored by figures such as Cyril Neville. His childhood home also served as a nightclub, Trombone Shorty’s, and a jam space called “The Space,” fostering his musical development and connection to the community.

His career expanded significantly in 2005 when he joined Lenny Kravitz’s horn section for a world tour, sharing stages with established acts like Aerosmith. The same year, he contributed to the New Orleans Social Club, a group formed post-Hurricane Katrina for a benefit album. In 2006, Andrews collaborated with producer Bob Ezrin and U2 at Abbey Road Studios, which led to a performance with U2 and Green Day during the reopening of the Louisiana Superdome for the Monday Night Football pre-game show. He also appeared on NBC’s ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’ and continued to contribute to various projects, including the 2007 tribute album ‘Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino.’ His involvement in these diverse projects showcased his versatility and growing influence beyond New Orleans.

The release of ‘Backatown’ in 2010 marked a turning point, reaching number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart for nine consecutive weeks. This success led to extensive tours across Australia, North America, Europe, Japan, and Brazil, and appearances on major television shows such as ‘Conan’ and ‘Late Show with David Letterman.’ Andrews continued to release critically acclaimed albums like ‘For True’ (2011) and ‘Parking Lot Symphony’ (2017), the latter being his debut on Blue Note Records. His music, a fusion of rock, pop, jazz, funk, and hip hop, has garnered him numerous awards, including a Grammy Award in 2022 for his work on Jon Batiste’s ‘We Are.’ Beyond his performances, Andrews established the Trombone Shorty Foundation and the Horns For Schools Project, demonstrating his commitment to music education and community engagement in New Orleans.