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What to Know About Trombone Shorty, Who Performed With Avery Dixon on AGT
He's a Grammy-winning musician.
Saxophonist Avery Dixon may have come up short during the America's Got Talent Season 17 Final, but he had a show-stopping moment during September 14's Results show.
Dixon took the stage and held his own alongside acclaimed trombonist, Trombone Shorty, as the two performed Stevie Wonder's 1973 hit "Higher Ground." The song choice served as a nod to Dixon's first-ever Live Show Act when he played the same track.
"Pleasure to share the stage with this soulful, young musician @averydixononsax on @agt," Shorty said in an Instagram caption.
Ahead, we found out exactly what you should know about AGT's special guest, Trombone Shorty.
Trombone Shorty was 4 years old when he performed for the first time.
Aside from the trombone, the New Orleans native also plays the trumpet, tuba, drums, and organ. According to his website, the musician (whose given name is Troy Andrews) performed for the very first time when he was just 4 years old and took the stage with iconic guitarist, Bo Diddley, at Jazz Fest. In the years since, he's racked up a number of career highlights, including performing at the White House five times, collaborating with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Zac Brown, Ringo Starr, and Bruno Mars. He even has a Muppet that was created in his likeness for the 2018 Sesame Street Gala.
Most recently in 2022, Shorty took home his first-ever Grammy for his work on Jon Batiste's album We Are, which won Album of the Year.
Trombone Shorty just released his fifth studio album.
Twelve years after dropping his debut album Backatown, Shorty released hist fifth studio album, Lifted, in 2022.
"The album finds the Grammy-nominated NOLA icon and his bandmates tapping into the raw power and exhilarating grooves of their legendary Live Show, channeling it all into a series of tight, explosive performances that blur the lines between funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock," his website says.
You can watch Trombone Shorty perform live this fall.
Lucky for us, Shorty is currently on a a tour that's taking him all across the U.S. His tour dates run from September through mid-November, and you can get tickets now for a city near you.
He's an activist with his own foundation.
In 2011, inspired by the rich musical legacy of his New Orleans hometown—and how it enriched his life—Shorty founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation. The organization helps the city's young, aspiring musicians obtain the skills and tools they need to find a career in music.
"We offer students both a road map and focus to allow them to pursue their passion," the foundation's website says. "Our goal is to nurture their talent in a way that opens up the possibilities, and also provide a platform for advancement."
