After Clifton’s death in 1987, C.J. Chenier inherited his dad’s accordion as well as The Red Hot Louisiana Band. But he took his father’s music and built upon it, adding elements of the music he grew up with and infusing traditional zydeco with a contemporary punch. When asked about his accordion playing, C.J. is quick to defer to his father, whom “nobody could ever touch,” as C.J. says. But others have formed their own opinions. According to Blues Revue, “Whether he and his band of red hots burn on rocking contemporary songs or simmer on traditional country waltzes, C.J. Chenier is zydeco’s new torch bearer.” And his wardrobe changes give Lady Ga Ga a run for her money.
During a visit to a small New Orleans club, Bono and the Edge saw the 12-year-old Trombone Shorty. "We walked in and the place was jumping. There was this little funk band, but they were all playing brass instruments, which is something I'd never heard of or seen before," The Edge recalled. "We were just mesmerized by him. I ended up with Bono, after a few tequilas, dancing with a bunch of girls on the top of the bar." Now in his early 20s, Trombone Shorty has grown into a performer who commands the stage while emanating an elegance and class gleaned from his successful studies at the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. As a graduate, he joined the ranks of alums like Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., and Nicholas Payton. Another alum, Wynton Marsalis, said of him, “Troy possesses the rarest combination of talent, technical capability and down home soul. I’m his biggest fan.”CJ Chenier and Trombone Shorty bookend 2010’s Fat Tuesday with C.J. Chenier on Monday 2/15 and Trombone Shorty on Wednesday 2/17. Tickets for both shows are available at the
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