NEW ORLEANS NIGHTLIFE & MUSIC - New Orleans Musicians

New Orleans Musicians: Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews

Troy Andrews plays every brass band instrument, has his own CDs out, had a music club named after him, played Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis and just recently graduated from New Orleans' performing arts high school, NOCCA.

How did you get the name "Trombone Shorty"?
At a jazz funeral for Louis Nelson. My brother gave me the name. I was carrying a trombone. I could only play a couple of notes but I could play them loud. I was maybe five years old.

When did you play your first Jazz Fest?
It must have been in the early '90s. I got up on stage with Bo Diddley.

Since then you've picked up a number of instruments?
I play trumpet, drums, sousaphone, piano. Every brass band instrument. I play trumpet when I am out marching. The trombone is too long. People are always knocking into it. It's safer to play trumpet.

What are you going to pick up next?
I am getting into classical. To get my sight reading together. But I also have a funk band. I'm doing a Latin project. I'm always doing the brass band.

What's your favorite brass band song?
Wind It Up. I wrote it. It's a crowd favorite.

Do you have a favorite jazz standard?
Four by Miles Davis.

What's Louis Armstrong's best song?
Basin Street Blues.