21st Heinz Awards Honor Musician Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
NOCCA Jazz Alum | Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
The Heinz Family Foundation today named musician Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews the recipient of the prestigious 21st Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities category in recognition of his achievements as a musician and for his community work to protect and pass on to younger generations the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. As part of the accolade, Mr. Andrews will receive an unrestricted cash award of $250,000.
“I was the last of the generation brought up surrounded by the great New Orleans musicians: jam sessions every Tuesday with free barbeque for the neighborhood, hearing jazz funerals on my way to elementary school, people playing at someone’s birthday party,” Mr. Andrews said. “Those musicians saw something in me and took me under their wing, all out of love. What I’m doing today is a direct influence of coming from New Orleans. We play music from a very joyous place, from love—we celebrate life. If I’d grown up anywhere else, my story would be very different. Music is the heartbeat of this city, and it makes me really happy to be able to reach out to kids around the city and people around the world. It’s a beautiful thing.”
In 2011, Mr. Andrews established the Trombone Shorty Foundation, through which schools across the city receive professional-quality instruments donated by Mr. Andrews. As part of the foundation, he also created the Trombone Shorty Music Academy where students follow a music performance curriculum created by Mr. Andrews. The Trombone Shorty Foundation and Tulane University also collaborated to establish the Fredman Music Business Institute in 2014 to provide music industry leadership training to promising high school musicians. Shorty Fest, an annual music festival featuring guest musicians and some of the most talented grade-school musicians in the region, helps fund the foundation.
Mr. Andrews has also written a book for young readers, Trombone Shorty, which chronicles his young life and how he made his dream a reality. The book earned Mr. Andrews and his illustrator, Bryan Collier, a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book award.
“Troy Andrews is extraordinary not only as a talented and innovative musician but as a man who shares his talents and enthusiasm to preserve the rich musical legacy of New Orleans and the wellbeing of his hometown,” said Teresa Heinz, chairman of the Heinz Family Foundation. “His joy and enthusiasm are contagious and his commitment to his community is exemplary. Mr. Andrews instills his love of music among New Orleans youth, and with children and adults around the world who have been moved by his unique and uplifting fusion of many different musical genres.”
In his 26-year career, Mr. Andrews has achieved remarkable success as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer and musical innovator. Inspired by diverse influences, Mr. Andrews has created a unique sound he calls “Supafunkrock,” a distinctive marriage of rock, funk, jazz, soul and hip hop. To date, Mr. Andrews has recorded six studio albums and appeared as sideman on 21 albums for other artists; played with some of the world’s most legendary musicians; toured the world with the band he leads, Orleans Avenue; and performed multiple times at the White House.
Established to honor the memory of U.S. Senator John Heinz, the 21st Heinz Awards this year recognize those who have made significant contributions in five distinct areas of great importance to Senator Heinz: Arts and Humanities; Environment; Human Condition; Public Policy; and Technology, the Economy and Employment. Now in its 21st year, the Heinz Awards has recognized 128 individuals and awarded more than $25 million to the honorees. For more information about the awardees visit http://heinzawards.net/2016.