By Jeroslyn Jovonn
February 7, 2025
The trombone Shorty Foundation promotes a unit of unit with its fourth annual funky Funky in Havana pilgrimage.
The trombone Shorty Foundation organized its fourth annual Funkky in Havana pilgrimage and promoted the unit between the USA and Cuba with the embassy doors, not the walls.
From January 16 to 20, the trombone Shorty Foundation enabled a lively cultural exchange between New Orleans, Louisiana and Havana, Cuba, to promote his mission, inspire the next generation of musicians. From incoming discussions to nightly intercultural musical cooperation, the participants drove with unforgettable memories, sensible cultural connections and inspiration to bring new ideas to life.
Nola reports that the cultural exchange trip 230 musicians and actors and eight students from the New Orleans brought in cooperation with Cuba Educational Travel and Afro-Cuban musician Cimafunk brought alongto Havana. A key component of the trip was the introduction of students of the trombone Shorty Academy to present New Orleans music and work with young Cuban musicians, including members of the Havana -based group Primera Linea.
During a visit to the Guillermo Tomas School of Music in Guanabacoa, the Akademie band bridged the language barriers through a lively JAM meeting with students from both countries who in a internal dance party with hundreds of people who join. Other event -highlights contained a panel with the inscription Taj Mahal, trombone Shorty, George Clinton and Cimafunk as well as a dynamic musical mashup in which Taj Mahal, together with Cuban students and students of the Trombone Shorty Foundation, a powerful solo set with vocal Horners and percussions delivered.
“At the center of everything we shared in Cuba is the knowledge that we expand the hearts, dissolve limits and spread the quality through music and education,” said Bill Taylor, founding director of the Trombone Shorty Foundation, in a press release.
At night, the Funky Crew illuminated the amphitheater of the old Havana and mixed music styles on stage with appearances by Cuban artists such as Cimafunk and Los van van as well as New Orleans Icons Big Freedia, Anjelika 'Jelly' Joseph, Trombone Shorty and Big Chief Juan Pardo. George Clinton and Taj Mahal also entered the stage to perform with other American artists, including Jojo Hermann, Valerie June, Maurice 'Mobetta' Brown and Robert Randolph, who tensioned a full Cuban audience.
“The trip was one of the best experiences I had in my life,” said Jarnell Demesme, saxophonist of the trombone Shorty Academy. “Culture is very different and people are passionate about what they do. It was very fun and gave a real insight how true the touring life is. It is an experience that I will never forget. “
The trombone Shorty Foundation intends to continue to build doors and to connect the worlds of New Orleans and Havana by the annual pilgrimage of Havana.
“Some people build walls and some people build doors,” said the Cuban national folk hero Carlos Varela, who gave an intimate performance and offered the participants a warm insight into the essence of Cuban life through the eyes of the 'poet of Havana'.
Next, trombone Shorty and the trombone Shorty Foundation are preparing for the Shorty Fest in New Orleans on April 28th.
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