Trombone Shorty

By: Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews

"Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. Along with esteemed illustrator Bryan Collier, Andrews has created a lively picture book autobiography about how he followed his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds, until he reached international stardom. Trombone Shorty is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music."

Awards

• 2016 Caldecott Honor Book

• 2016 Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner

• 2018 Odyssey Award Honor Book

• 2016 Marion Vannett Ridgeway Award Honor Book

• CCBC Choices Book of 2016

Activities:

Art

• Bryan Collier used collage to illustrate this book and created layered pictures that tell the story of New Orleans. Create a collage that tells a story of where you live.

• Bryan Collier uses symbols throughout this book to represent dreams, New Orleans and sound. Read the illustrator’s note in the back of the book and think about a symbol that represents you, your family or your home and draw a picture of it.

Brain Break

“Where Y’At?”:

• You will need speakers and some of Trombone Shorty’s music.

• Gather together in an open space.

• Tell the children that, according to Trombone Shorty, in New Orleans they have a special way of saying hello—“Where y’at?” Practice it together!

• Play Trombone Shorty’s music and allow kids to mill, walk, or dance around the room. When the music stops, the children must find the person nearest to them, partner up, and greet each other by saying “Where Y’at.”

• Then, tell them to find out their partner’s favorite color. Play the music and do another round, using a different question this time!

• Some fun questions to try: Favorite singer or band; Favorite book; Favorite movie; Favorite food

• (variation: Allow a volunteer to come up with the question each time.)

Music

• Prior to reading Trombone Shorty, play audio recordings of his music for your students. Invite them to guess what instrument is featured in the music – let them move to the music, exploring this unique musical style. You may also want to offer students the opportunity to respond to the music with art, providing materials and asking students to draw what they hear. This introduction will ground a reading of Trombone Shorty is music and image and enrich students’ aesthetic experience and comprehension.

• Trombone Shorty and his friends used whatever they could find to create homemade instruments to play in their band. Gather a collection of recycled materials that hold potential for creating interesting sounds. Invite your students to create their own instruments and to compose original music to perform for each other. Hold a live concert for families or create a series of music videos to be shared on your classroom website.

Read Aloud