Biography
James Andrews, a renowned trumpeter, vocalist, and bandleader from New Orleans, was born into a musical family as the grandson of Jesse 'Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo' Hill, a key figure in early New Orleans R&B. Known as 'Satchmo of the Ghetto' or '12' in his Treme neighborhood, Andrews emerged from the local brass band scene, playing with groups like the Treme Brass Band and New Birth Brass Band before forming his own ensemble, James Andrews and the Crescent City All-Stars. His early career included performances alongside jazz legends such as Danny Barker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dr. John, and Quincy Jones, blending traditional New Orleans brass band traditions with contemporary R&B, soul, zydeco, and Cajun influences.
Fun Facts
- Earned the nickname 'Satchmo of the Ghetto' in his Treme neighborhood, boldly aligning himself with Louis Armstrong's legacy through his trumpet mastery.
- One of the first musicians to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, performing with Trombone Shorty at Jackson Square just 17 days later, declaring 'We’re gonna rebuild this city, note by note.'
- Contributed to the 2011 Grammy-nominated soundtrack for HBO’s 'Treme' and performed at high-profile events like Jazz at Lincoln Center's Louis Armstrong tribute and Sundance Film Festival.
- Launched his solo career with the album 'Satchmo of the Ghetto,' celebrated at Tipitina’s with Allen Toussaint's gold Rolls-Royce parked outside and guests including Dr. John’s mother.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jesse Hill - Grandfather and major R&B figure providing familial musical foundation (Early New Orleans R&B influences) [Childhood onward]
- Allen Toussaint - Protégé relationship and soul music mentor (New Orleans tradition performances) [1990s onward]
Key Collaborators
- Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews - Younger brother and frequent bandmate/mentee (Jackson Square post-Katrina performance, family bands) [1990s-present]
- Danny Barker - Brass band and jazz performances (Various brass band collaborations) [Early career]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Jazz trumpet collaborations (Live performances) [Early career]
- Dr. John - R&B and New Orleans music collaborations (CD release events, performances) [1990s]
- Crescent City All-Stars members (e.g., Kevin O’Day, Chris Severin, Richard Anderson) - Core band members (Albums like 'The Big Time Stuff', Candlelight Lounge residency) [2000s-present]
Artists Influenced
- Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews - Older brother who helped raise him and shared spotlight early on (Early performances when Shorty was 10) [1990s-2000s]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
James Andrews has been played 10 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.