If anyone can pull off aligning himself with the famous Louis Armstrong it’s trumpet extraordinaire – James Andrews. However bold this move may be, the New Orleans native earned the “Satchmo of the Ghetto” alias back in his Treme’ neighborhood and the name still sizzles in the city!!! He’s come up through a variety of brass bands (Treme Brass Band, New Birth Brass Band) before forming his own. He has played with Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Danny Barker, Dr. John and Michelle Shocked.
A protégé of soul man Allen Toussaint, Andrews has taken his place alongside of contemporaries swinging the New Orleans tradition in contemporary ways. Andrews is the real thing and there’s no novelty in his chops. James Andrews, trumpeter, vocalist, aka “12”, aka “Satchmo of the Ghetto”, is grandson of the late Jessie “Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo” Hill; is older brother to Troy Andrews (aka “Trombone Shorty”) and is determine to keep the flame of New Orleans Soul and R&B alive and burning in the hearts of many.