TROY ANDREWS, better known as TROMBONE SHORTY, brought
his explosive New Orleans sound to the beach front of the Jersey
Shore in June. TROMBONE SHORTY AND ORLEANS AVENUE played
on the Ocean City Music Pier, a scenic old concert hall on the
historic boardwalk. Touring is pretty much a constant state for the
very busy group, who is always a highlight at festivals like
“Bonnaroo” and their hometown New Orleans’ “Jazz Fest”. And
in the last couple years they’ve paired with the likes of THE RED
HOT CHILI PEPPERS and HALL & OATES on their tours. This
summer, throughout the US and Europe, they are promoting their
latest album that was released in April, “Parking Lot Symphony”,
their first release on the BLUE NOTE label.
Andrews played in brass bands most of his life – in between being
in the spotlight sharing the stage with legends as early as 4 years
old. So it was fitting to have the night warmed up by fellow New
Orleans musicians THE NEW BREED BRASS BAND. Like many brass
bands that are popular these days, they put an interesting take on
driving New Orleans rhythms, sometimes applying it against pop
or hip hop songs. This sound is even better when pumped through
the massive sound system of a concert hall – drastically amplified
sousaphone is a funky bass feel like no other. The guys in New
Breed Brass Band are the real deal, as authentic as can be from
New Orleans and the crowd loved it.
When Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue took the stage, it
was immediately electrifying. The crowd of beachfront concert-
goers was mostly up on their feet from the first note and stayed
there until the end. The security staff even seemed a little caught
off-guard by how much this incredibly funky band lit up the
audience.
The whole band clearly reveled in the audience reaction
– for a group of top-notch musicians who tour nonstop,
it’s really notable to see just how humbled they seem
by how pleasing their music is – they truly show their
appreciation for the audience in every note they play.
And clearly, not a single member of the band doesn’t
seem to be having the time of his life, unloading such
intense, energy-filled grooves that never let up. The
result is a show that’s equally captivating visually as it is
to the ears – with the backdrop of an incredible light
show and a performance buoyed by a band that knows
how to work the audience – an appreciative audience
who apparently are also having a blast, as the energy
emitted was palpable.