On Monday, January 12, New Orleans trumpet ace James Andrews celebrated his birthday at the Ooh Poo Pah Doo music club in the Treme.

The up-and-coming neighborhood bar is owned by Andrews’ aunt and uncle.

Photo by Laura DeFazio

It was decked out for the party with balloons and streamers and packed to the walls with family members, old friends, and local regulars. There was cake for all and delicious homemade red beans and rice.

The highlight of the evening was, of course, the music.

The set kicked off with the most high-voltage version of “Tipitina” imaginable, with Andrews belting out the words and his cousin, Travis “Trumpet Black” Hill attacking the conga drums.

The two of them doubled up for exhilarating trumpet duets, and the song ended with Andrews pounding on the congas with a pair of tambourines.

Next up, Trumpet Black’s solemn “Happy Birthday” trumpet solo gave way to a rocking dance version that had the crowd up and clapping.

From then on , the beat just kept rocking late into the night.

James Andrews isn’t called “The Satchmo of the Ghetto” for nothing. One of the city’s preeminent trumpet players, he played with the Treme and New Birth Brass Bands before forming his own.

He contributed to the Grammy-nominated soundtrack of HBO’s Treme and also performed on the show, delivering a powerful rendition of his grandfather’s hit song “Ooh Poo Pah Doo”.

The 2015 Jazz Fest lineup is out, and Andrews is set to perform on Sunday, April 26. Don’t miss out!