The city has declared today Travis “Trumpet Black” Hill Day. Exactly one week after his tragic death, the extraordinary young trumpeter’s family will honor him with a tribute concert held at the Ooh Poo Pah Doo bar.
The Treme music venue is owned by Hill’s aunt and uncle and served as the home base for Trumpet Black and the Heart Attacks. Their regular “Blue Monday” gig there had, over the past year, become a much-anticipated weekly attraction where family members, local regulars, and first-time tourists alike packed the house and crowded the dancefloor, intoxicated by the band’s brassy funk and its leader’s contagious energy, impressive chops, and natural gift for entertaining.
Bar owner Judy Hill (daughter of Jessie Hill, R&B legend and Travis’ grandfather) wants to let the community know that, even without Travis physically present, Blue Monday will go on in his honor.
Photo by Laura DeFazio
Tonight’s event will feature the Heart Attacks and dozens of other local acts. Many of the groups Hill played with will take the stage (Corey Henry, Rebirth, and New Breed Brass Band are all listed), as will his cousins James Andrews and Glen David Andrews, and other big names like Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Big Chief Alfred Doucette, Trumpet Mafia, Cyril Neville, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., Kid Merv, Guitar Slim, Jr., the Hot 8 Brass Band, Steve Walker, Karen Andrews, and more.
With ever-increasing exposure in local music publications, multiple appearances on lists of artists to watch out for this year, a series of international tours lined up for the summer, and a new studio album he’d only just finished recording (to be released by Parlor Studios when the mixing is complete), Travis Hill had frequently been described as a rising star with nothing but continued success on the horizon.
To reach that point he had needed a particular kind of fortitude.
A charismatic child prodigy who’d gotten his start playing with his cousin Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews’ brass band when the two of them were still in single digits, Hill was derailed in his late teens by a nine-year prison sentence for armed robbery. With the characteristic energy and dedication apparent in any of his performances, however, he resolved to turn his life around and leave prison more educated than he’d entered.
Photo by Elsa Hahne
He learned several languages, studied history and religion, and, upon his release, jumped back on the trumpet immediately. He was thrilled to find that his instrument came right back to him, in spite of a near-decade with scant opportunity to play.
He hit the ground running, intent on making up for lost time.
Hill was an extremely skillful musician–he sang and played countless percussion instruments in addition to the trumpet–but also a caring family member and hardworking contributor to his community. He was particularly involved in the organization “Trumpets Not Guns”, a non-profit dedicated to keeping youth off the streets through music education.
Known for his enthusiasm, outgoing personality, and boundless generosity, Hill had an uncanny knack for being able to start a party, whatever the situation.
And, as many family members have noted, he had “that billion dollar smile.”
The family is anxiously awaiting the return of Hill’s body from Japan, where he passed away from an infection contracted in New Orleans before his departure, which will hopefully happen within the next few days.
Until then, they gather each evening at the bar and at Hill’s grandmother’s house around the corner to second line, eat and drink together, and share stories about the young musician’s life.
Tonight’s festivities begin at 5 p.m., so come out and show your support for the family and for the Treme community. All are encouraged to join upcoming second lines, continue patronizing the bar and the bands that play there, and celebrate Hill’s life and music in whatever way they can.
