Trombone Shorty Quotes

Powerful Trombone Shorty for Daily Growth

About Trombone Shorty

Troy Andrews, professionally known as Trombone Shorty, is an American musician, bandleader, producer, and composer from Treme, New Orleans. Born on December 6, 1986, he showcased his musical talent at a young age when he was given the nickname 'Trombone Shorty' due to his petite stature and mastery of the trombone. Growing up in a vibrant music scene, Trombone Shorty was influenced by local legends like Allen Toussaint, James Andrews (his father), and his uncle, Paul Robertson, a trombonist with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. At six years old, he performed at New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival and quickly gained recognition as a prodigious young musician. In 2003, Trombone Shorty formed his own band, Orleans Avenue. They released their debut album, 'Don't Worry 'bout It,' in 2010 to critical acclaim. Incorporating elements of funk, jazz, R&B, and rock, his music pays tribute to New Orleans' rich musical history while creating a unique contemporary sound. One of his most significant works is the album 'Backatown,' released in 2011. Produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, it gained widespread success, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Trombone Shorty has collaborated with notable artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Zac Brown Band, Dave Grohl, Patti LaBelle, and Metallica. He's also made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Austin City Limits. In 2015, Trombone Shorty founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation to help children pursue their dreams in music education. His music and philanthropy reflect his deep love for New Orleans and its rich musical heritage, making him a vital figure in preserving and promoting American roots music worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life without music would be a mistake."

This quote suggests that life without music is incomplete or incorrect. For Trombone Shorty, music serves as an essential part of living, adding richness, joy, and meaning to existence. It's a statement about the profound impact music has on our lives, fostering connection, expression, and personal growth. Music's absence would leave life unfulfilled or out of tune.


"You have to play what you feel, not what they tell you to play."

This quote emphasizes the importance of personal expression and authenticity in music. Trombone Shorty advises that musicians should trust their emotions and creativity when playing, rather than conforming to external expectations or limitations. By playing what they feel, artists can create unique and genuine music that resonates with listeners on a deeper level. This quote encourages musicians to stay true to themselves, embrace their individuality, and let their passion guide their performance.


"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

This quote emphasizes the importance of having strong convictions and beliefs. When one lacks a clear sense of what they stand for, they may easily be swayed or influenced by others, potentially leading to a loss of personal identity or values. By standing for something, one establishes a foundation upon which to make decisions and navigate life, ultimately promoting personal growth and integrity.


"Music is like a language and I speak it everywhere I go."

Trombone Shorty suggests that music, much like a universal language, transcends borders and connects people regardless of their cultural backgrounds or geographical locations. Just as one can communicate effectively with others who speak the same language, music enables us to understand, express emotions, and share experiences across the globe. This quote underscores the powerful unifying force of music.


"I just want to spread the joy of music everywhere I go."

Trombone Shorty's quote "I just want to spread the joy of music everywhere I go" highlights his personal mission to share the happiness, passion, and energy that music brings with him as he travels. This statement encapsulates his commitment to using music not only as an artistic expression but also as a powerful tool for connecting with people and uplifting their spirits. It emphasizes the transformative power of music in creating a sense of joy and unity.


In New Orleans, people are still influenced by one another. You got these bands that play every week on Frenchmen Street, and on their breaks, they might go see the reggae band that's right next door. You might get the musicians from the reggae band to sit in with the brass musicians. Everyone is having fun.

- Trombone Shorty

Door, Play, Next, Bands

Most people don't even know what a trombone is. It's not that popular as a front instrument... I picked it up and fell in love with it as a kid. It's a difficult instrument, but I like doing things that seem impossible.

- Trombone Shorty

Love, Doing, Like, Trombone

When I was a kid, my friends and I formed a band, Trombone Shorty's Brass Band. When I was six, I was a bandleader for my brother's band.

- Trombone Shorty

Kid, Brass, Six, Trombone

I may be taking a different approach, being a guy leading a band with a trombone, but if you take that out of it and put in a guitar or keyboard, it would be considered funk-rock music.

- Trombone Shorty

Keyboard, May, Leading, Trombone

I never really listened to any particular trombone players.

- Trombone Shorty

Never, Players, Listened, Trombone

Whenever we can, we try to talk to students. If I can, I'll invite kids from a school to a sound check and take questions from them. I want to show them it's cool to play the trombone. Kids are influenced by what's accessible to them. It's hard for kids to be introduced to music other than what they see on TV and video.

- Trombone Shorty

Play, Other, Accessible, Trombone

I'm always trying to emulate guitar. Especially when I'm playing the trombone, that's what I think about. Like, I listen to guitar players every day: Warren Haynes, Lenny Kravitz, Prince, different people. And I'm always trying to find out a way how I can get my trombone to sound like that.

- Trombone Shorty

Every Day, I Think, Lenny, Trombone

My parents pushed me toward trombone because they didn't need another trumpet player.

- Trombone Shorty

Trumpet, Need, Toward, Trombone

'Supafunkrock' is a musical gumbo. We throw all those musical influences into the pot and put it out there.

- Trombone Shorty

Influences, Throw, Musical, Pot

I could just play my horn in my room for 20 minutes a day, and I will be happy.

- Trombone Shorty

Play, Will, Could, Horn

It doesn't matter where we are. We can be marching down the streets of New Orleans, or we can be onstage in front of 15,000 people. As long as I know that I'm about to put my horn to my mouth and play some notes, that's what I most look forward to.

- Trombone Shorty

Play, Some, Notes, Marching

There's pride on Bourbon Street for the musicians that work there. They take it very seriously. I've never worked there or played in band there, but it's a part of the city. They play for the tourists and represent a whole different side of the culture of our city.

- Trombone Shorty

City, Play, Very, Bourbon

I always dreamed of playing a show with Bono and Edge and the guys in Green Day.

- Trombone Shorty

Green, Edge, Always, Bono

When I'm creating a song, I'm thinking of a hip-hop beat playing on a live drum set - kinda like the Roots would do. I will put New Orleans music on top of that with some other rhythms.

- Trombone Shorty

Some, Other, Rhythms, Drum Set

I was put on so many different musical stages growing up that I didn't think about what kind of music we played. I just thought music was music.

- Trombone Shorty

Thought, Think, Musical, Stages

When we're ready to do the dress rehearsal, we'll rehearse in the dark. No lights. The reason why I do that is because I don't want the band to rely on me for anything. 'Cause anything can happen - I might stop singing or unplug the mic, just so everybody knows: Keep going, no matter what.

- Trombone Shorty

Dress, Reason, Everybody, Unplug

We come from New Orleans, so everything is emotional - for, once the music takes over, and we start blowing, we go into a different zone that takes over our whole body.

- Trombone Shorty

New, Emotional, Over, Blowing

I don't know what America would be without New Orleans and the music.

- Trombone Shorty

Music, New, Would, New Orleans

New Orleans is like a big musical gumbo. The sound I have is from being in the city my whole life.

- Trombone Shorty

New, Big, Musical, New Orleans

No matter what setting I play in, I will always be New Orleans. It's one of the only cities where you can hang out with the Marsalis family, the Neville brothers, whoever it might be, and we all play together.

- Trombone Shorty

Play, Hang, Brothers, New Orleans

I think The Meters are like The Beatles to us in New Orleans, you know.

- Trombone Shorty

Think, New, I Think, New Orleans

From the food to the Mardi Gras Indians to the brass bands and the second liners parading through the street, Jazz Fest presents New Orleans in one place.

- Trombone Shorty

New, Through, Jazz, New Orleans

All New Orleans music is based off dance music, even jazz.

- Trombone Shorty

Music, New, Based, New Orleans

Everywhere I go around the world, we have fans of New Orleans. Sometimes we go places, and people don't really know who we are, but they know New Orleans, and once we say we are from New Orleans, we have a lot of supporters.

- Trombone Shorty

New, Sometimes, Go, New Orleans

I just want to spearhead and lead a new style of New Orleans music.

- Trombone Shorty

Music, New, Want, New Orleans

Sometimes it's very hard for other New Orleans musicians to break out. It starts with the musician. They have to be willing to take a risk. Playing in the city, you can get comfortable. You think things are going well, but you're always in the city.

- Trombone Shorty

City, Other, Very, New Orleans

In New Orleans, we like to interact with the crowd. We don't like people sitting down.

- Trombone Shorty

New, Crowd, Like, New Orleans

Music in New Orleans has always been the heartbeat that drives the city. It was that even before Katrina, and that's what we had to rely on after the storm.

- Trombone Shorty

New, Always, Been, New Orleans

New Orleans is like my blood; it's not going anywhere. And then I just take different things that I've learned over the years and add them to what I'm doing with the natural New Orleans sound.

- Trombone Shorty

Doing, Sound, Anywhere, New Orleans

I listen to Nine Inch Nails, Green Day, U2, and it becomes part of me, comes out in my music. Wherever it goes, there will always be the fabric of New Orleans in it.

- Trombone Shorty

Listen, Nine, Part, New Orleans

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