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Trombone Shorty: WXPN's July 2010 Artist to Watch

A product of New Orleans' historical and musical Treme neighborhood, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has been a musician since he was smaller than the trombone he plays. A bandleader by the age of 16, Andrews attracts both older and younger generations of fans with his virtuosity and energy.

He attended the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (graduates including Harry Connick Jr. and Irvin Mayfield). In 2006, Andrews entered the national spotlight by performing "The Saints are Coming" on Monday Night Football in his native New Orleans with superstars U2 and Green Day. He has also appeared on several television shows, including a Christmas episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The resulting singles from both performances were unexpected hits, bringing him more exposure.

Mixing a blend of funk, hip hop and jazz he dubbed 'supafunkrock', Andrews and his band blur the lines of contemporary music, earning praise from fans, critics, and even some of the biggest names in music. Despite his age, Andrews has proven himself a force to be reckoned with. Although only in his early 20s, Andrews has made a name for himself by performing with acts like Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, and the Marsalis brothers. By 2009, Andrews had assembled a band. His new group, Orleans Avenue, mixes funk and hip-hop aesthetics with his traditional brass instrumentation. Excelling at trumpet and trombone, he brings his youthful energy and expertise to both.

Trombone Shorty's latest, Backatown, was released in April to enthusiastic reviews.

Backatown is a mix of energetic influences, true to Shorty's reputation. Trombone Shorty goes from the easiest funk to hard fusion and then to smart hip-hop without a hitch. Perhaps the Rolling Stone review puts it best with "Backatown is both deeply rooted and culturally omnivorous."



Facebook: Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews & Orleans Avenue
Website: tromboneshorty.com
MySpace: myspace.com/trumboneshorty
Recent Release: Backatown
Release Date: April 20, 2010
Label: Verve Forecast
Band Origin: New Orleans


Listen to a Full Performance - Archived from the 2010 NonCOMM


Non-COMM Recap: Going introspective with John Murry (photos, audio, setlist)

With just his guitar and his voice, Bay Area by way of Mississippi songwriter John Murry played an emotional, powerful set Wednesday...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside dabble in retro rock (photos, audio, setlist)

Portland retro group Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside showed the Non-COMM crowd its rockability in a feisty set that closed out...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: The late night gets weird with Foxygen (photos, audio, setlist)

Quirky upstate New York four-piece Foxygen got crazy in a late-night Non-COMM set yesterday that blended Doors-esque poppy psychedelia...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: Robert Randolph makes steel strings sing and the crowd dance (photos, audio)

Slide guitar wizard and XPN favorite Robert Randolph got the downstairs crowd at World Cafe Live dancing in his Non-COMM set....Read More

Watch Surgeon perform “Greed” at Garage Mahal (playing Johnny Brenda’s on Sunday)

Local thrash / metal band Surgeon has been readying its long-in-the-making new full-length Chemical Reign for the past couple years...Read More