March 11, 2022
Trombone Shorty has released the second preview of his highly anticipated new studio album, Lifted, out April 29. The title track “Lifted” is pure hard-charging funk, a song about love’s unrelenting grip delivered with huge guitars, sneering horns and a trombone solo for the ages.
For his first album in five years, the born-and-bred New Orleans musical icon and ambassador harnesses the raw power and exhilarating grooves of his legendary live shows, over ten tracks recorded at his own Buckjump Studio with producer Chris Seefried (Fitz and the Tantrums, Andra Day). Shorty and his bandmates crash through funk, soul and psychedelic rock with transcendent performances, set to bold songwriting that explores grit and determination in hard times. The album features special guests Gary Clark, Jr., Lauren Daigle, and the New Breed Brass Band.
In February, he released the single “Come Back,” an infectious lovelorn plea over a hip-hop beat with hard rock energy. The music video features Trombone Shorty as he cruises the streets of New Orleans and the Treme neighborhood in a classic black Cadillac. Watch HERE.
He also just rode on his own float during Mardi Gras, leading the Krewe of Freret parade and performed at the after-party gala dubbed “Shorty Gras.” He will have a big presence at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival next month, with a headlining show at the Saenger Theater on April 30. The following weekend he’ll close the festival with the hallowed final set that for years was performed by Dr. John, and Professor Longhair before that. Shorty will then bring his once-in-a-lifetime Voodoo Threaxdown tour featuring Tank & the Bangas, Big Freedia, George Porter, Dumpstaphunk, Cyril Neville, and The Soul Rebels across the U.S. this summer including NYC’s Central Park Summerstage on June 13.
The album’s title and cover photo reference the relationship Troy had with his late mother, Lois Nelson Andrews. In dedicating the album to her memory he says, “She passed recently, but she continued to inspire me right up until she transitioned, and that’s why I put a picture of her holding me up at a second line on the cover of this album. She lifted me up my whole life.”
