Shorty Fest 2025 Returns To New Orleans To Raise More Money For The Trombone Shorty Academy
The Annual Shorty Fest featured Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and was presented by Acura, the Trombone Shorty Academy, and the Trombone Shorty Foundation
Share this:
The Annual Shorty Fest, which took place on April 28 in New Orleans, featured Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and was presented by Acura, the Trombone Shorty Academy, and the Trombone Shorty Foundation to help continue the tradition of benefiting the children of the institutions. The 12th annual event also showcased several of the children involved in the program, who were special guests performing on stage with the talented musician back in his hometown.
Trombone Shorty, born Troy Andrews, founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation in 2011 so that children from the immediate area could have access to some of the things and experiences that the underserved wouldn’t be able to. This includes professional-quality instruments and instruction from musicians who can help lead them into helping them realize their dreams and utilize their talents without the restraints of not having the finances necessary to pursue their dreams in music.
The event, which has taken place annually at Tipitina’s, always starts with a free gathering outside the venue where people descend to take in the joyful atmosphere. Two high school marching bands come out to “face off” against each other to try to get the best showing of their talent as the crowd cheers on and celebrates the talent that emanates from the young children who brave the heat to excite the crowd.
Acura got involved with the Trombone Shorty Foundation when it became the presenting sponsor in 2016 and has thrown its support behind Shorty and the kids of the foundation. The company also provides free transportation for the kids throughout the year, so they will have the opportunity to participate in the programs the foundation conducts for the students.
One of the things that Shorty is proud of his having some of the students on stage with him during his show at Tipitina’s.
“It’s a beautiful thing to be able to have them play at an iconic venue here at Tipitina’s, sometimes on the street, and they come on the stage and play with me,” Shorty says. “Some of the things that I did when I was coming up, so to pass that along to them, it’s just a beautiful thing. And we have kids from all over.”
He stated that some of the kids involved in the foundation aren’t in New Orleans but from surrounding areas. But the ones that do make it to the city don’t have “the culture that we have in New Orleans. So they have them to be that interested in playing the music and driving down here and being a part of the program, that’s what’s exciting to me, and to see the smiles on their face and see them playing in front of an audience and moving the people through the music. That’s what keeps the mission alive for me.”
Along with the featured artist and the students, the performers included Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Black Opry Revue, Dogs In A Pile, and special guests Robert Randolph and Jake Clemons of the E Street Band.
The Industry Cosign experienced the show as well as a rehearsal with the students involved in the Trombone Shorty Academy.
Before the show starts at Tipitina’s, the crowd that gathers outside sometimes waits for him to pull up to get the chance to meet him, take photos with him, or just to get a glimpse of him in person. With the latest all-new Acura ADX parked outside the venue, people were amazed as he arrived and took photos near the vehicle as well as on the sidewalk on the side of the venue, where a crowd gathered to see him.
Once inside, there was no disappointment at all!
The performance was electrifying as Trombone Shorty took the stage with much delight to the crowd, who had come to anticipate a great show every year. As the band kept the patrons engaged, Shorty, who is no stranger to the Tipitina’s audience, always drew people in part, due to his humility towards the hometown crowd. With a set of about 10 songs, what makes the performance great is that there wasn’t a bad song or moment where people did not want to leave the spot. That’s how great a performer Shorty and the musicians on stage are. Throw in the students from the academy, there was not a moment where people weren’t paying attention to the stage, as everyone on that stage did their thing to the delight of the crowd!