Although the band didn't become active until 2012, Paul Janeway and Jesse Phillips actually met in the mid-2000s while both being part of another musical project. The pair reunited in 2012 in Ol' Elegante Studios in Birmingham, AL and began work on a new collaboration that would go on to be known as St. Paul and the Broken Bones. Through quite an organic movement, the two began working around Janeway's vocals before realising that the sounds created were all very soulful. After being joined by Browan Lollar, they recorded their first EP 'Greetings from St. Paul and The Broken Bones' before working out their live arrangements or gigging to crowds.
After a positive response the band quickly went on to begin recording sessions for the debut album 'Half the City'. It was at this time that keyboard player Al Gamble joined the operation and has remained a key element ever since. The production side was handled by Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes fame.
The preceding critique of 'Half the City' was very positive and this strong recommendation along with a number of high profile television features and performances led onto good chart success. The debut album reached #3 on iTunes Top Albums charts and #56 on Billboard 200 charts. They supported the release with a worldwide tour, taking their sound to Europe where their music is lesser known.
From a very young age, Troy Andrews has experienced very good fate when it comes to his musicianship. He was a member of the Stooges Brass Band during his teenage years before being chosen as a member of Lenny Kravitz's horn section. This opportunity took the musician around the world, sharing bills with incredible artists such as Aerosmith. Whilst in the summer of 2006, Andrews went to London and began working with producer Bob Ezrin and U2 at Abbey Road Studios. Due to these connections, Andrews was invited to perform with U2 and Green Day during the re-opening of the New Orleans Superdome.
In 2007 he appeared on the album 'Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino' and that year Offbeat named Andrews their Performer of the Year. After accumulating a number of successes whilst releasing his own solo material, Troy then released 'Backatown' in 2010 and it debuted atop the US Contemporary Jazz Chart and held the position for nine consecutive weeks. He toured extensively worldwide with Orleans Avenue after the release and appeared on prolific US shows including Conan, Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
The next album 'For True' featured appearances from tour mates and associated musicians from over the years including Rebirth Brass Band, Jeff Beck, Warren Haynes and a return from Lenny Kravitz. His latest album 'Say That to Say This' was released in 2013 on the Verve Forecast Records label.
I never knew this band existed until I saw them on CBS This Morning a few months ago. I fell in love! Looked at their website for a play schedule and found nothing close to DesMoines. THEN, lo & behold I received a heads up from Songkick that they were coming. I told about a dozen friends about them and we all went and THEY ROCKED THE HOUSE! I cant wait for their return! Thank you!
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue are a fantastic jazz and funk band from New Orleans, they incorporate elaborately-long rock-inspired riffs, the odd hip-hop beat and funky guitar strumming into the mix, but the star attraction is the trombone and the trumpet and rightly so. Trombone Short or Troy Andrews has been playing the trombone since he was six The bassist exuded an uncontainable amount of confidence, like it was child’s play to be hitting all those notes in that particular order. But it wasn’t child’s play, it looked difficult and sounded brilliant. And it was the same with the drummer and guitarist, they were all brilliant, playing complex rhythms and absolutely loving it, the drummer in particular didn’t lose his smile for the entire set, he was sourcing his energy from Trombone Shorty in the middle, as was I.
There was a really intense moment when Troy held a single note for an insane amount of time. Minutes. Literally minutes. Three minutes, four minutes he was holding this note for, something called circular breathing, he must have been breathing in through his nose because he kept puffing his cheeks out like in a cartoon and no one has that much breath, the audience went from being impressed to outright flabbergasted, it was remarkable. It was a lively, enjoyable and danceable occasion, and I’ll take every opportunity to catch them again.