This summer, the Trombone Shorty Foundation is taking its groove on the road, offering young performers unique opportunities to broaden their musical horizons and gain industry experience. Now in its 12th year, the Foundation continues its mission of transforming young lives through the power of music while preserving New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage for future generations.
On Saturday, July 13, alumni from the Foundation’s flagship program, the Trombone Shorty Academy, will travel to Berkeley, California, to participate in the Rex Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration at the historic Greek Theater. The Rex Foundation, established by members of the Grateful Dead in 1984, supports non-profits across the country. In 2022, the Trombone Shorty Foundation received the prestigious Ralph J. Gleason Award from the Rex Foundation. The Academy’s alumni band will perform a second line throughout the Greek Theater between performances by Melvin Seals & JBG and the Dark Star Orchestra, which will recreate an iconic Grateful Dead concert from the same date in 1984.
“What an eye-opening and deeply-meaningful experience for our young musicians— to perform in front of thousands of Dead Heads in the cradle of the band’s home turf at the Greek,” says Bill Taylor, Founding Executive Director of the Trombone Shorty Foundation. “We are honored by the support we’ve received from the Rex Foundation and can’t wait to add some New Orleans funk to celebrate their 40th anniversary!”
The musical journey continues on Sunday, July 14, with a brunch performance at the legendary Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, co-owned by original Dead member Bob Weir. This performance will further immerse the Academy alumni in the Grateful Dead‘s legacy while showcasing their New Orleans roots.
From August 15-17, the Foundation will head to the mountains of Park City, Utah, for the second consecutive year to participate in the Park City Song Summit. This event features musical luminaries like Mavis Staples, My Morning Jacket, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats, and Cuban powerhouse Cimafunk. Joining the Shorty Academy students will be their counterparts from their “sister school” in Havana, Cuba, the Guillermo Tomas Conservatory. Following recent collaborations during the Foundation’s annual “Getting Funky in Havana” trip, these Cuban students have formed a band named “Primera Linea,” meaning “First Line,” paying homage to the cultural exchanges they have experienced. Together, the Shorty Foundation students and Primera Linea will play a vital role in the weekend’s musical festivities.
“I love traveling as a young Black musician exploring new opportunities and places, and to connect to new people one melody and beat at a time,” says John Rhodes, a recent graduate and valedictorian of Warren Easton High School and mainstay of the Shorty Foundation’s programs.
Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement about the 2025 “Getting Funky in Havana” trip, scheduled for January 16-20 next year. This trip promises to continue the cultural exchange and musical collaboration between New Orleans and Havana.
The Trombone Shorty Foundation’s mission is to inspire the next generation of talented youth through music education, instruction, mentorship, and performance. Founded by renowned New Orleans musician Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews in 2012, the Foundation uplifts young musicians by developing their talent, educating them about the music business, and connecting them to New Orleans’ unique music and cultural heritage. By offering innovative programs that utilize digital tools for music education, the Foundation provides livelihoods for musicians in the community while passing on the culture to the next generation and preparing them to lead.
For more information, visit Trombone Shorty Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
Trombone Shorty Foundation
