The first of five California stops along the Trombone Shorty Voodoo Threauxdown tour took place at the historic Hollywood Bowl on August 10, 2022. A gloriously beautiful, warm-summer night and a cross section of supremely talented New Orleans musicians drew a large crowd of Los Angeles music lovers to the Bowl. The bands that were along for the ride put on stellar performances that captured the musical energy of The Big Easy, led by their unofficial ambassador, Trombone Shorty.
Troy Andrews’ status as a world class musician from New Orleans has been established for some time. He continues to break new ground with his band, touring across the globe and making national television appearances. Trombone Shorty, as he has been known since he was smaller than his instrument, has achieved international stardom. He understands the significance of his role as one of the foremost representative of New Orleans’ current and historic music scene by honoring that history and sharing the stage with talented contemporaries as well as elder statesmen.
The Hollywood Bowl show was a showcase of musicians that Shorty has worked with and admired over the years and typified several of the music styles that make the New Orleans scene so unique. The Soul Rebels opened the show with an explosive demonstration of brass band funk, soul, jazz and hip hop mash up that several new generation New Orleans artists has embraced. Their four song set included rapid fire rapping by trumpeter Marcus Hubbard, while trombonists Paul Robertson and Corey Payton also delivered a few notable rap sequences.
The Bowl used their immense stage turntable to transition from one band to the next and kept the music blasting. The crowd barely had time to have a relaxing moment as Dumpstaphunk rotated onto the front of the stage. Their strong tribute performance of classic Meters songs, with a guest appearance by original member George Porter, Jr., hit the audience squarely in the chest and did not let up until the band finished their show.
Vocalist and keyboard wizard Ivan Neville, along with bass players Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III took turns on vocals. George Porter, Jr. added his bass to the mix and also sang on well-known songs like “Cissy Strut,” “No More Okey Doke” and “Fiya On The Bayou.” Audience members could be seen gleefully marching in the aisles with hankies and umbrellas mimicking the second line parades popular in New Orleans.
Tank and The Bangas, a colorful modern NOLA funk, soul, rock and hip hop band, followed Dumpstaphunk. Their lead singer Tarriona “Tank” Ball was a force of nature. Her voice was powerful and theatrical, while her stage antics were cartoon-like with flailin’ arms, booty shaking and animated facial expressions. What was already a wild show went over the top when Tank introduced NOLA’s Bounce diva, Big Freedia, who came out from stage left. The Soul Rebels horns came out from stage right and the combined ensemble delivered a powerful hip hop take on “Big,” a track that Big Freedia recorded with Tank and the Bangas for their 2022 album “Red Balloon.” Tank and Big Freedia took turns rapping and displayed an outrageous booty shake off at the front of the stage that had the crowd going wild.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue closed out the Threauxdown with a flourish as he showed off his repertoire by blasting a variety of inventive solos but shared the spotlight by allowing his bandmates to display their skills as well. Guitarists Josh Connelly and Pete Murano each had opportunities to demonstrate their chops with creative solos, while “Uncle” Dan Oestreicher blew an amazing blues infused solo on his baritone sax during “Craziest Things – One Night.”
The set included a magically intimate moment when most of the band left the stage during “Do To Me” as only Shorty and bassist Mike Bass-Bailey were under the spotlight. Shorty blew thunderous notes with his trombone as Bailey watched, waited and then thumped out an appropriate response. Eventually the band returned for the conclusion of the song. Shorty wrapped up the show by inviting out The Soul Rebels, the Dumpstaphunk horns and Ivan Neville for a medley mash-up that included “Hurricane” and a few stanzas of the classic “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Shorty encouraged the crowd to take over the vocals and many obliged before the combined band left the stage to huge applause.
The Voodoo Threauxdown at Hollywood Bowl brought a festive NOLA vibe to Los Angeles, giving most all in attendance a sense of blissful transportation to the Crescent City.
Photo(s) courtesy of Andy J. Gordon ©2022
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