Last night (October 19), the PBS program “NewsHour” gave viewers a look inside New Orleans music from the perspective of one of its most famous representatives. Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews spent time with reporter Jeffrey Brown in his former neighborhood, visiting the people and places most influential in his musical upbringing. The two also spent time at the Trombone Shorty Foundation’s Music Academy, where young musicians earn the training necessary to become future cultural ambassadors.

In the segment, Shorty and Brown visit the former’s Treme haunts, of which he says “Even though some of the people that I grew up under doesn’t live here anymore, there’s something about this neighborhood that we can’t let go. These people come over here and hang out because it’s that much embedded in their soul and heart that they have to be here. It’s a special place, magical.” He also discusses the musical education he received growing up. “The older musicians always wanted to make sure I understood where everything started before I can be good at it, or understand where I needed to be later on in life. So they taught me to respect the music that came before, and make sure that I pay attention. But the most important thing they all drilled in my head was to be open-minded and to learn all styles of music.”

Video: Trombone Shorty teams up with Jon Batiste on ‘Colbert’

Elsewhere, students and faculty at the Music Academy discuss the importance of the program’s offerings, including high-school band director Asia Muhaimin. Of the program, she says “They come in already able to play, but I think it’s that connection. It’s that camaraderie. They’re learning from those professional musicians that they — they don’t get in school.”

Today (October 20), Shorty will perform in St. Paul, Minn. before continuing on a sprawling international tour.