Students from Tulane after-school program to perform at Shorty Fest

The Trombone Shorty Foundation will stage its first Shorty Fest May 2, and one of the highlights of the night will be a performance by students of the Trombone Shorty Academy, the after-school music program based at Tulane University.

The event will take place at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Drive, and include performances by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Cha Wa and Hot 8 Brass Band. The concert will begin at 9 p.m. with students of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews playing the music of the Meters. Legendary Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste has been preparing the students for the gig.

“The Trombone Shorty Academy is a great vehicle for the future of the arts and education,” Modeliste said. “And as a guest of the academy, I plan to share my musical experiences with the foundation youth and showcase these bright stars of the future.”

Andrews, who has entertained at the White House and received the Tulane President"s Medal for his charity work, launched the academy in January in partnership with the New Orleans Center for the Gulf South at Tulane. With jazz pianist and Tulane instructor Jesse McBride as its lead teacher, the free program aims to empower underserved yet musically gifted high school students to choose music as a career.

“We"re excited to have the opportunity to showcase the Foundation and its mission to educate the next generation of New Orleans musicians,” said Bill Taylor, the foundation"s executive director. “Troy and the foundation are motivated to offer quality music education to motivated high school musicians by nurturing their talent and allowing them to prepare for success in music and in life.”

Tickets to Shorty Fest are $40 and up, with proceeds going to the Academy. They can be purchased online at www.tromboneshortyfoundation.org.