With his virtuoso and very vigorous jazz, Trombone Shorty (1986) received praise from legends like Allen Toussaint, but also gets loads of young fans on the dance floor. The trumpet/trombone player was born in New Orleans in 1986 as Troy Andrews, and he grew up in the black neighborhood of Tremé. His grandfather is singer-songwriter Jessie Hill. As a toddler, Shorty already performed in a local marching band, carrying a trombone that was bigger than himself (which earned him his nickname) and when he was eighteen, he toured with Lenny Kravitz. Shorty's first studio album was recently released: Backatown. A title that refers to the place where he grew up and especially to the dance parties that were always being held somewhere. Although Shorty honors the traditions of New Orleans, he doesn't want to be a museum act; to be innovative is his biggest goal. His live reputation precedes him: he has given energetic shows going on for hours, and they hold a promise for this year's North Sea Jazz Festival.
