Columbus, OH – Jazz Arts Group’s Inside Track series returns to the historic Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, April 3 to welcome back 24-year-old New Orleans singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and all-around musical powerhouse Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews & Orleans Avenue, with special guest and local Columbus band Mojoflo.
Rare indeed is the artist with the virtuosity to draw the unqualified respect of some of the most iconic legends in jazz and the ability to deliver a high-energy funk rock show capable of mesmerizing international rock stars. A virtuoso prodigy trombonist, brilliant trumpet player, and soulful, charismatic singer, Trombone Shorty commands the stage while emanating an elegance and class gleaned from his successful studies at the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts.
Surrounding Andrews is his band, Orleans Avenue – Mike Ballard on bass, Pete Murano on guitar, Joey Peebles on drums, Dwayne Williams on percussion and Dan Oestreicher on baritone sax – delivering an explosive, homegrown combination of funk, rock, R&B, jazz and hip-hop they call “Supafunkrock.’
“This is a dream come true,” Troy says of the anticipation building in hip circles for the release of his new Verve album Backatown. “I’m super-excited about this record, and I can’t wait for people to hear it – because this record is the defining moment of our sound.”
“Backatown” is a local term for an area of New Orleans that includes the historic Treme neighborhood – or 6th Ward – from which Trombone Shorty hails. Home to Congo Square, birthplace of Louis Armstrong, it has been called “the most musical neighborhood in America’s most musical city.”
What makes this record such a kick in the head is that the band, working with producer Ben Ellman of Galactic, has managed to bottle the 200-proof intensity of their devastating live performances, which have earned Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue a rabid and ever-growing following almost entirely by way of word of mouth. Like their shows – which have been known to run for hours at an energy level that few others could sustain – the album turns on a rare combination of virtuosity and high-energy, party-down intensity.
Shorty has attracted many such legends to his high-profile fanbase, and the diverse and notable names he has performed and soloed with include Lenny Kravitz on his world tour in 2005, Diana Krall at Madison Square Garden in 2005, U2 and Green Day in 2006 to reopen the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, Norah Jones at Jazzfest 2007, and chart-topping rapper Juvenile at VoodooFest 2008.
Tickets for all Inside Track concerts are on sale now for $25 (orchestra) and $30 (loge) and available by phone at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. A limited number of Trombone Shorty concert packages including an exclusive after-party invitation are also available. Call 614-294-5200 or visit www.jazzartsgroup.org for more information.