Trombone Shorty has been playing the trombone since before he was big enough to hold one up on his own. Things have changed a lot since then. While he continues to play his namesake instrument, he'll also play pretty much any other one that's needed in a given show--trumpet, tuba, drums, you name it. Shorty has also become one of the most celebrated artists to emerge from America's jazz Mecca; he has not only played with the likes of Mick Jagger and B.B. King, but performed at the White House for the President of the United States.
But whether he's in Washington or anywhere else, Shorty insists his soul always remains in the Big Easy. "Without New Orleans, I wouldn't be who I am at all," he says. "New Orleans is my heartbeat. It runs through my heart, wherever I am." There's no question that the city's incredibly diverse culture has influenced his own musical aptitude. "Growing up, I think, I heard a lot of styles of music. That's just one of the things that's great about this city. You never know what to call the music, it's just New Orleans music."
This versatility and openness to include any and all types of styles into what what he refers to as his musical "gumbo pot" are only part of why Trombone Shorty is such a true visionary. For more on him, his music and his appreciation for New Orleans culture, be sure to check out the video above.
SHARE THIS STORY
