Troy Andrews, perhaps better known as Trombone Shorty, is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer from New Orleans. In addition to leading his own band, Orleans Avenue, he has played or recorded with a range of performers, including Dierks Bentley, Lenny Kravitz and the Foo Fighters.
READING“Eleven Rings” by Phil Jackson. I’m a big fan of Phil Jackson and the way he coaches. In the book, he makes a lot of references to music. He talks about playing basketball in 4/4 time, and to be a great championship team or a great band, everyone has to feel equal and do just as much work. I identify with that because if something happens and I throw a pass to my guitar player like, a solo, I know he can drive it in and we will score.
LISTENING When I’m not listening to the hum of the tour bus generator, the Global Top 50 on Spotify. It’s basically all the top music from different countries. Most of it I’ve never heard of so it makes me aware of what’s happening in music today. And then I’m also always listening to demos of the songs I am working on, or tracks that people ask me to record parts on.
WATCHING I watch “Power” with 50 Cent when I have some downtime. The story line is a guy who’s a drug dealer but is trying to get away from that life and be a better man for his family. But most of the time I’m watching clouds out the airplane window because when I’m not on the tour bus, I’m on an airplane. Looking at the clouds outside is when I come up with ideas.
FOLLOWING I’ve been following Kobe Bryant’s final N.B.A. season online. He works extremely hard and he doesn’t make excuses. I connect with his work ethic and playing through times when you’re hurting. I also follow what might be going on around New Orleans on nola.com. On Instagram, I follow Lenny Kravitz. I joined his band right out of high school. He’s been a big influence in my life musically and personally.
EATING Every day, my grandmother cooks. She’ll cook gumbo, shrimp étouffée, red beans and rice, everything New Orleans. So every day it’s like a family reunion because we all want to eat her food. We’re talking about 20 or 30 people. My grandma just turned 86, and she’s stronger than all of us. And her food keeps the family close. The family is so entertaining and funny that our phones just get put to the side. If we do touch the phone, it’s to videotape one of our crazy uncles telling a crazy story.
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Jim’s skill at getting the word out to the right media in the right way at the right time has resulted in my enjoying audiences ranging from a full house to standing room only. I recommend him highly.
