Troy Andrews, who performs under the stage name Trombone Shorty, started performing before kindergarten on the streets of New Orleans as a 4 year old. Already experienced in music, at the age of 8 he formed his first band. By 13 he was on the road in Lenny Kravitz’s band.
One of seven children, Troy grew up in one of New Orleans’ oldest black neighborhoods, Treme. Music was always part of his life as his grandfather was a successful R&B artist and his older brother was a jazz trumpeter. Amazingly, Andrews appeared on stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for the first time when he was just 4, playing with Bo Diddley. As for his nickname? He was dubbed Trombone Shorty when, after choosing the trombone as his primary instrument, he was typically seen playing something bigger than he was.
When Andrews was nine, his brother, also a talented musician, was shot and killed. Overwhelmed by grief and fearful of the same outcome for Troy, his father placed him in the care of his manager and friend, the late Susan Lovejoy Scott. She has been credited with increasing Andrews’ exposure as well as keeping him away from the pitfalls that overwhelmed other musicians from his neighborhood.
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue play a blend of funk, hip-hop and jazz Troy calls ‘supafunkrock’. As a supporting musician, Trombone Shorty has played with everyone from U2 to Madonna to Usher. His first national exposure came from the pregame show for the reopening of the New Orleans Superdome, performing with U2 and Green Day.
