Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Newport Jazz Festival: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue


Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue: August 6 @ Newport Jazz Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI


I spent a sunny Saturday by the ocean taking in the sounds of the Newport Jazz Festival on August 6. The photographer side of me was dashing between stages trying not to miss the photo restriction windows of opportunity which were a bit tight. But hey, that's half the fun. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue were supposed to start at 2:20PM but due to some technical difficulties the previous performer playing that stage had, things were a bit behind. That being the case, I had just enough time to make a mad dash over to catch a bit of Wynton Marsalis on the Fort stage before dashing back without missing the beginning of Shorty's set on the Quad stage.

While waiting in the area carved out for photographers, I looked around and noticed that the audience was swelling and doing so with good reason. The minute Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue kicked off their set, the Newport Jazz Festival officially turned into a party. Their funk-rock horn laden brand of music may not be for everyone but those that packed the Quad Stage area danced up a sweat and they were loud in their show of love for the band. Troy (Trombone Shorty) Andrews is an entertainer with rock star flare. He's not your traditional head down, eyes closed type of performer. He works the stage while working up a sweat.

While they blew the roof off the joint, this is the kind of music I personally prefer to hear in a dark club, packed in so tight you're not sure if the sweat dripping down your back while dancing belongs to you or the person behind you. That being said, it was an ass shakin' fun set. My only regret is that I had to miss their set the following day!

More Photos HERE