THE ANDREWS FAMILY A New Orleans Legacy
By Kim Welsh
New Orleans has many musically talented families . As Grammy Awardwinning piano player Jonathan Batiste put it , “ music spreads like a disease .” Musicians are our heroes and our traditions are fiercely protected , making the musical family a revered institution that dates back to the 19th century and the beginning of jazz itself . In many ways , the history of these families , with names such as Dejean , Neville , Brunious , Barbarin , Batiste , Lastie , Marsalis , Jordan and Andrews , is the history of New Orleans . The future of these families is the future of the city ’ s culture . The Andrews family is instrumental in making New Orleans culture what it is today . One of our largest musical families , with its roots in the Tremé neighborhood , the Andrews ’ sound encompasses grandfather Jessie Hill and his iconic “ Ooh Poo Pah Doo ” smash hit recorded in 1960 . Some of his other songs were recorded by Ike and Tina Turner , Sonny and Cher , and Willie Nelson . His legacy lives on within his extended family of talented relatives spanning generations , including the currently performing Glen David Andrews and his cousins James Andrews and Troy “ Trombone Shorty ” Andrews . Exposed to the sounds of gospel , R & B , funk and jazz since early childhood , this younger generation of Andrews talent is deeply woven into the musical fabric of New Orleans culture , and the live music scene at nightclubs and festivals .
James Andrews is the grandson of Jesse Hill , the older brother and mentor of Troy “ Trombone Shorty ” Andrews , and cousin of Glen David Andrews and the late Travis “ Trumpet Black ” Hill . A dynamic trumpeter and vocalist , Andrews is known as “ Satchmo of the Ghetto .” James Andrews has played in a number of brass bands and with Danny Barker , Dizzy Gillespie , Dr . John , and many others before launching his own band , James Andrews and the Crescent City Allstars .
After Hurricane Katrina , James Andrews was one of the first musicians to return to New Orleans following the flooding . He and his brother , “ Trombone Shorty ,” played at Jackson Square seventeen days after Katrina hit the area , declaring “ We ’ re gonna rebuild this city , note by note .”
James Andrews is swinging the New Orleans tradition in contemporary ways . Andrews is the real deal , a stellar trumpet player , and he ’ s determined to keep the flame of New Orleans Soul and R & B alive and burning in the hearts of many . If you are lucky enough to see him perform , listen for his own rendition of his grandfather ’ s song , “ Ooh Poo Pah Doo .”
Troy and James Andrews ’ cousin , Glen David Andrews is part preacher , R & B singer , jazz vocalist , and trombonist . He ’ s all showman , entertainer and party ringmaster . He performs with a Louis Armstrong rasp , an Al Green falsetto , a Thomas Dorsey sense of spirituals , James Brown moves with a microphone stand , Trombone Shorty licks on the trombone and a lot of manic energy . His music is versatile and he is a maestro at creating an endless party atmosphere . He parades through the crowd playing his trombone and showing off his vocal prowess , inviting audience participation with call and response , singing songs we all know and love . When he performed recently at Jazz Fest , he outdid himself with a little something for everyone . He had backup singers , a full horn section , and a top-notch band that spanned almost every genre of music . If you get a chance , be sure to catch a member of the Andrews family ; they frequently perform in the neighborhoods in and near the French Quarter .
www . FrenchQuarterly . com Summer 2022 | 27