Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews performed at The White House February 21, 2012, as part of the Black History Month celebration, In Performance at the White House: Red, White & Blues; it premieres on PBS Monday, February 27 (check local listings). President Obama began the event by wishing everyone a Happy Mardi Gras and saying "I hear Trombone Shorty brought some beads up from New Orleans." Watch the clip here:
Troy was joined by all star cast including Jeff Beck, Gary Clark, Jr., Shemekia Copeland, Buddy Guy, Warren Haynes, Mick Jagger, B.B. King, Keb Mo, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, with Booker T. Jones as music director and band leader. In addition to performances with all the artists playing together (including backing The President on a verse of "Sweet Home Chicago" - watch that clip here:), Troy performed "St. James Infirmary," on his own backed by the house band. The esteemed audience joined Troy in the call-and-response lyrics and he received a standing ovation kicked off by Michelle Obama.
Earlier in the day, Troy participated in a special education program in The White House with Michelle Obama, Keb Mo and Shemekia Copeland. Click here to watch the session:The artists spoke to an audience of students from across the country to discuss the Blues and took part in a Q & A with moderator Bob Santelli and members of the audience. Not included in the video are the closing performances from the artists, where Troy played "When the Saints Go Marching In," bringing everyone to their feet.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are now en route to their debut in Moscow, Russia at the Triumph of Jazz festival, followed by dates in France, England and Spain and also marking the 4th continent they have traveled to in the month of February 2012 alone! Catch the band on a stage near you, please see Tour Dates>>