Bonerama, Trombone Shorty, Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville

Biography

Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews, born January 2, 1986, in New Orleans' Tremé neighborhood, began playing trombone at age four with an instrument larger than himself, earning his lifelong nickname. A child prodigy from a musical family as one of seven children of James Andrews Jr. and Lois Andrews, he performed semi-professionally that year with Bo Diddley at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and led his own Tiny Toones Brass Band by age six, marching in Jackson Square for tips. He honed his skills in street parades, clubs, and at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), mastering trombone, trumpet, tuba, drums, guitar, organ, and more while absorbing New Orleans brass band traditions, funk, and jazz.

As a teenager, Andrews played with the Stooges Brass Band, joined Lenny Kravitz's touring band post-NOCCA graduation in 2005, and contributed to post-Hurricane Katrina efforts with the New Orleans Social Club. In 2006, he worked with U2 at Abbey Road Studios and performed at the Louisiana Superdome reopening with U2 and Green Day. Forming Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, he blended jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop, and second-line rhythms, achieving breakthroughs with albums like Backatown (2010), For True (2011), Say That to Say This (2013), and Parking Lot Symphony (2017), the latter topping Billboard's Jazz chart. His style reveres New Orleans roots while innovating across genres.

Andrews' legacy includes the Trombone Shorty Foundation (2011), providing instruments, the Trombone Shorty Music Academy, and Shorty Fest, alongside collaborations with The Meters. An internationally acclaimed artist, he received the 21st Heinz Award in Arts and Humanities, co-authored a children's book autobiography, and continues as a bandleader, educator, and ambassador for New Orleans music.

Fun Facts

• The trombone Andrews received at age four was twice his height, leading to his 'Trombone Shorty' nickname despite outgrowing it.
• His family opened a Tremé nightclub called Trombone Shorty’s, where he played 10-minute sets as a child.
• Appeared on NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip leading New Orleans musicians in 'O Holy Night' in 2006.
• Played all instruments except bass on 'Shortyville' from Say That to Say This (2013).

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• James Andrews - older brother and early trombone teacher (street performances and family nightclub) [childhood]
• Fred Wesley - significant trombone influence from James Brown era (inspired playing style) [early teens]
• Cyril Neville - neighborhood mentor teaching New Orleans sound (club jams and street music) [childhood]
• Tuba Fats - early neighborhood influence on multi-instrument skills (street performances) [childhood]
• Rebirth Brass Band - stylistic influence blending funk into brass (inspired Andrews' sound) [early career]

Key Collaborators

• Lenny Kravitz - horn section member in touring band and vocal mentor (world tours) [2005 onward]
• U2 - studio work and live performance (Abbey Road sessions, Superdome reopening)
• The Meters - guest musicians on album track (Be My Lady re-recording on Say That to Say This)
• Green Day - joint performance (Louisiana Superdome Monday Night Football pre-game)
• New Orleans Social Club - member for post-Katrina album (Singer N.O. album)

Artists Influenced

• NOCCA Classmates - appeared on his albums as emerging musicians (For True (2011)) [post-NOCCA]
• Trombone Shorty Music Academy Students - proteges via foundation's custom curriculum (Shorty Fest performances) [2011-present]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia