A trombone player who has played with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, U2 and Greenday will bring a new style of jazz to the State Theatre Sunday.
Straight out of the New Orleans Treme neighborhood, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and his band, Orleans Avenue, will offer concert-goers a chance to hear music that combines elements of the American jazz tradition with funk, rock and a large variety of other genres.
"Trombone Shorty" and company will play at 8 p.m. Sunday at the State Theatre.
Andrews, the group's founder and front man, used the term "super funk rock" to describe the band's sound.
He said it is difficult to characterize the band's sound because it incorporates many different genres.
"It's just really high-energy music with a lot of elements," Andrews said. "There is a focus on rock and funk."
Kristy Cyone, marketing director for the State Theatre, said the audience can expect an exciting and energetic show.
"It really hits the interest of funk and jam band audiences," Cyone said.
Andrews' musical roots lie in the legendary Sixth Ward of New Orleans, where he grew up.
"You hear music all day long there," Andrews said.
Andrews began his musical career after graduating from the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA), according to Tromboneshorty. com.
After touring with Lenny Kravitz and performing with U2 and Greenday at the reopening of the New Orleans Superdome, he proceeded to win Offbeat Magazine's 2007 Performer of the Year award, according to the Web site.
Andrews said when he decided to start a group of his own, he went back to NOCCA to look for talented instrumentalists. He assembled the school's best musicians, and Orleans Avenue was born.
Andrews said the audience may be surprised by the show.
"People are not expecting a trombone player to approach different genres," he said.
Tickets are available at the State Theatre box office and cost $27. Concert-goers have the option of purchasing tickets buy one, get one free until the day of the show, according to the State Theatre's Web site.
"Bring your dancing shoes," Andrews said. "It's going to be a hell of a work out."
