At first glance, there are a few things wrong with the picture when someone says that Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews will play at Oktoberfest in Snowmass on Saturday.
The obvious being that it's only the beginning of September. But, anyone familiar with one of the world's largest festivals can attest that even Oktoberfest headquarters in Munich, Germany, do indeed host the beer- and food-indulgent event in September.
The other thing wrong with it is this: Once the crowds leave and off-season hits, which it technically does when Labor Day weekend draws to a close, is that people assume nationally recognized events don't happen in the upper Roaring Fork Valley.
Take the price-tag away from said event, and it may as well be a punchline.
Oktoberfest's history dates back to 1810 when it was celebration for Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese. They must have been special, because it's a conciliation that's still toasted to today, in several countries and by millions of people.
And though their precious nuptials took place in October - they had a horse race, too - the event was moved to a 16-day feast that begins in September and ends in October. They did this because of weather, assuming that people wanted to enjoy more hot, summer nights outdoors.
Presumably, this is why Snowmass is throwing its Oktoberfest on the first weekend this month. Rocky Mountain fall nights can be bitter (as recent evenings have proven) and the sun-drenched days sans snow parkas are numbered.
But, the town of Snowmass Village is bringing national phenom Troy Trombone Shorty to its Oktoberfest for free. It's true.
Trombone Shorty grew up as Troy Andrews. Well, at least until he was 6, when marching in parades through his hometown of New Orleans with an instrument double his size garnered him the nickname.
Then, he was an adorable little boy playing alongside of some the Big Easy's greats such as The Meters, the Marsalis family and Allen Toussaint.
Now, that novelty has morphed into talent recently earning him such titles as Performer of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz Performer by Offbeat magazine, an acclaimed New Orleans music publication.
He was admitted into the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts a year early, in eighth grade, and was on tour with Lenny Kravitz by age 20.
"Lenny, he's like my uncle. He's my mentor," says Andrews, who is now 22. "He took me under his wing, and I learned from watching the way he played in front of large arena crowds and how he handled the situation. I took that in like Sponge Bob."
The quickly rising trombonist was invited on Kravitz's 2005 tour, and though he thought it was a couple-night stint, the gig turned into a year-and-a-half whirlwind.
"It's a beautiful relationship and he still gives me advice," he says. "I take the knowledge he had and combined it with what I had."
That touring bug didn't take long to infect Andrews, and he's been on the road with his Orleans Avenue band basically since leaving the Kravitz tour. He learned about music, he learned about the industry, but what he says was the most important lesson was that of putting on a performance.
"When I was with him, the music was so tight and it was a show," he says. "Now my gigs are shows, and not just jammin' out. After being with him and the music being so clear, I came back and took those methods to rehearsal. Everything drastically changed from there."
Troy Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue now spend about 70 percent of their time on the road. Because he started traveling at 7, it's a lifestyle for the musician. And though it can be tiring, Andrews says it's "fun to play different audiences every night and expand those audiences."
But, the boy from Treme, a New Orleans quarter, remembers his roots too. He returns at least once a month for a jam session with the people who helped him along the way. Like everyone in the Gulf Coast area affected by Hurricane Katrina, musicians were too displaced, and several of those including his brother, James Andrews, now travel the country spreading the Orleans gospel.
Though Andrews' roots are deeply woven into Louisiana soil, it's easy to see his branches have extended far beyond. Calling his music a "super funk rock band," it has elements of hip-hop.
"It's musical gumbo," he says. "It's a dancing music, just fun and high energy."
Bringing that new flavor to an age-old appreciated form of art is what Andrews hopes to do.
So, as revelers in Snowmass imbibe in the name of an ancient couple, take in something a little fresher too.
christine@aspendailynews.com
