It starts with good food, great drinks, and a community of people who love jazz – enough to leave guests satisfied, sure, but this is New Orleans, and there’s always more. If Shorty Fest is where the Trombone Shorty Foundation goes to get loud, the next morning’s Jazz Brunch is where we go to celebrate the more intimate connections we’ve made along the way – with our most supportive donors, the students and instructors at the Trombone Shorty Academy and NOCCA’s Trad Fridays program, lovers of jazz history, and makers of jazz history. At the historic New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Center, we shared signature New Orleans cuisine from Old School Eats and cocktails from our sponsors Presqu’ile Winery and Hendrick’s Gin. Then, friends who may not have seen each other since last year’s Shorty Fest gathered to witness the greats, young and old, play a style of music you don’t hear much on the radio anymore.
Led by Wendell Brunious, the kids gave back to the patrons with light-hearted editions of songs you’d hear on the streets of Treme. They were also joined by a very special guest, jazz legend, Charles “Frogman” Henry, who at 87, hasn’t performed in years, but sang and played with the same joy and humor that made him famous. It’s living jazz history, and we’re so grateful to all who make these moments happen, and if you Text GIVE to (504) 509-5010, you help preserve these traditions for the next generation.
NOCCA students w/Wendell Brunious
The Drew’s Tunes Foundation presenting their donation
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrew and Foundation Executive Director, Bill Taylor
Wendell Brunious and Trombone Shorty
Guests enjoying the spring morning
Legendary jazzman Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry in an impromptu performance with Wendell Brunious