By Peggy Oliver

(Advance review: CD to be released on Sept. 13th, 2011)
 

Troy Andrews has that contagious, monstrously incredible bundle of energy every time he hits the stage. Besides his remarkable talent to back up that Energizer Bunny power supply, he has fed off his childhood musician friends, family and mentors in a city where their music history is highly celebrated and immensely embraced on a daily basis. Nicknamed Trombone Shorty at the age of four by his older brother James, Troy was undoubtedly destined to make his birthplace of New Orleans proud by educating and encouraging future generations of brass players. Though he is a product of the New Orleans’ brass band tradition, Shorty’s ball of energy and other musical inspirations have expanded his unique musical vision. Playing with The Rebirth Brass Band, the Marsalis Family and many New Orleans legends, as well as touring with Lenny Kravitz, the sky was way past the limit for Shorty. Now at only twenty-five year old, this songwriter/musician/vocalist is already building upon his legacy with an ambitious urban recipe that encompasses funk, hip-hop, pop, jazz and blues; topped with in your face rock attitude.

 

One of the biggest honors thus far was being the youngest musician pictured on an official New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival poster. Shorty also appeared on the HBO documentary, Treme (Shorty’s neighborhood growing up), which examines New Orleans beyond the French Quarter. In 2010, he was nominated for his major label debut, Backatown; bringing plenty of props to New Orleans’ prolific history in his trademark Supafunkrock style. Since then, Shorty and Orleans Avenue -- which includes childhood friend -- Dwayne Williams, have toured the U.S. and several continents.

 

Just over a year later, Shorty returns with For True, which picks up where Backatown leaves off; only with some more musical meat. Best described as hip/hop big band jazz, “Buckjump” seamlessly marries two generations of New Orleans with bounce rapper 5^th Ward Weeble and The Rebirth Brass Band. The title track paints a vivid picture of passionate bullfighting with Shorty’s majestic trumpet and Pete Murano’s furious guitar strokes. Kravitz’s rock funk influence bleeds all over “Roses” anchored by Kravitz’s slinky bass lines. “The Craziest Thing” smartly packages soul with that New Orleans flair, thanks to Shorty’s trombone swagger. At times, the horn section goes beyond just laying tight hooks and locks into more animated improvisations and soundtrack type bites for “Big 12” & “Unc.” Ledisi’s astonishing vocal depth and Shorty’s gutsy musicianship fully bring the studio house down on “Then There Was You.” Never forsaking their New Orleans roots, Shorty and Orleans Avenue stir their distinct brass band gumbo with two interludes entitled Lagniappe; the latter spiced up with thicker drum hip-hop tinged beats.  

 

Besides the inspired musicianship, producer Ben Ellman (who also produced Backatown) provides an extremely sensitive ear to For True because of his experience with another New Orleans-based eclectic band Galactic. The energy level Shorty contributes to all his concerts also translates to the studio setting without a hitch. New Orleans certainly has plenty to rave about with a remarkable talent like Shorty’s. And taking everything into account, For True definitely does not suffer from the sophomore slump.                 

 

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene