Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Sister Hazel to perform free, live concert at Famously Hot New Year in downtown Columbia, S.C.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, the funk/rock/jazz/hip-hop band known internationally as New Orleans musical royalty, will perform a free, full-length outdoor concert – followed by the most colossal NYE fireworks show in the two Carolinas – for tens of thousands of guests at Famously Hot New Year on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in downtown Columbia, S.C. The popular folk rock/jangle pop/classic Southern rock band Sister Hazel, as well as local rock and roll band Capital City Playboys, have been confirmed for the lineup as well. Guests can plan their #FHNY weekend at www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.

In its sixth season, Famously Hot New Year is S.C.’s free party of the year, set in historic downtown Columbia, S.C., in the midst of the city’s dining, shopping and hotel districts, with a fun, festival atmosphere; beer, wine, bubbly and local food vendors; free parking and more for tens of thousands of guests from across the nation and world. To improve crowd comfort, security and acoustics, the concert stage has shifted one block east to Gervais at Sumter (Sumter will remain open in both directions, however), while the midnight fireworks will remain above the picturesque S.C. State House.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Known as New Orleans musical royalty, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue is a multi-piece brass band that has played at the White House, toured the world with Lenny Kravitz and Hall & Oates, performed an NPR “Tiny Desk Concert” and now holds a coveted closing headliner position at Jazz Fest in New Orleans – the same spot once held by jazz legends, The Neville Brothers.

In the last year, Trombone Shorty played for the President and First Lady at the White House, closing a show where Usher, Smokey Robinson and James Taylor shared the bill. In 2012, the group performed for the First Couple at the White House along with B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck and Booker T. Jones. In fact, Andrews has played for President Obama “five or six times” thus far. Popular songs include “Hurricane Season” and “Fire and Brimstone.”

Throughout his career, New Orleans native Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews has performed with music legends such as Foo Fighters, Aerosmith, U2, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Gary Clark Jr., and more, including touring with Hall & Oates, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, Jeff Beck, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, either solo or with the band Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue performed at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards alongside Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Mary Lambert, Madonna and Queen Latifah. In addition to his musical success, Andrews has often appeared on screen. He has guest starred in six episodes of HBO’s “Treme” and appeared on popular late night programs including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and “Conan.” Learn more at www.TromboneShorty.com.

Background
A seasoned music industry veteran at age 30, Trombone Shorty began his career as a jazz bandleader at the young age of six, toured internationally at age 12, and spent his teens playing with various brass bands throughout New Orleans. In 2005 – the same year he toured the world as part of Lenny Kravitz’ band – Andrews became the bandleader of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, a funk/rock/jazz/hip-hop band influenced by legends James Andrews, Rebirth Brass Band, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne and The Neville Brothers.

In a July 2016 Offbeat Magazine article, writer John Swenson says, “There are a handful of local musicians who have built global careers on their music—off the top of the head you can mention Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Big Freedia, Mystikal, Lil’ Wayne, Master P and a few others. One young musician, however, stands out as a millennial version of the traditional New Orleans musicians known around the world—icons like Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Fats Domino. Troy Andrews, a.k.a. Trombone Shorty, is New Orleans musical royalty—the younger brother of James Andrews; cousin to Glen David Andrews and a host of other musicians; the grandson of the great Jessie Hill; blood relation to Mahalia Jackson and, some say, Armstrong himself.”

Named as one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Music” in 2016, Andrews’ musical passion is rivaled with his passion for philanthropy. In 2012, Andrews received the President’s Medal from Tulane University in recognition of his charitable work with the Trombone Shorty Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Andrews that donates musical instruments to schools across New Orleans.

Andrews recently published an illustrated children’s book named Trombone Shorty about growing up in New Orleans. In his book he writes, “As important as it is for me to carry the torch for the music of New Orleans, it’s even more important for me to make sure that this tradition continues. In 2010 I launched the Trombone Shorty Foundation and Trombone Shorty Music Academy to make sure that the music and culture of New Orleans stay alive. While I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world and share my music, I always return home to New Orleans. Nothing has been more inspiring to me than working with the children there. I wanted to write this book to inspire hope in kids who might be growing up under difficult circumstances but who also have a dream, just like I did. I’m living proof that as long as you work hard, you can make yourself take flight.”

Sister Hazel
Originating from Gainesville, FL, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians who have been called “one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years” by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Their best known hit is the melodic, jangle-pop anthem, “All for You.”

The veteran musicians of Sister Hazel have built their career success and national name recognition through chart-topping hits, countless national media appearances, relentless touring and the release of 13 full-length albums, including the recent “Lighter in the Dark,” on which Darius Rucker makes a cameo appearance on “Karaoke Song.” The engine that drives Sister Hazel is based on the fundamental principles that attracted the attention of a major label, garnered hit singles on the radio and endeared them to a legion of avid fans: well-crafted, hook-infused songs complimented by solid instrumentation and lush harmony vocals. Learn more at http://www.sisterhazel.com/.

Capital City Playboys
The Capital City Playboys are one of Columbia, S.C.’s most beloved rock and roll bands, riling up fans with a mix of rockabilly and garage rock performed with “punk-inspired vigor.” The trio are music industry veterans: Jay Matheson is owner of the Jam Room Recording Studio and founder of the Jam Room Music Festival; Marty Fort is owner of Lexington Music School and Columbia Arts Academy; and Kevin Brewer is an official musician for the U.S. Army. According to Free Times, “There might not be a better party band in South Carolina.” Learn more at www.capitalcityplayboys.com.

Background and Details: Famously Hot New Year
Sponsored by the City of Columbia, Richland County, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and other forward-thinking corporate citizens, Famously Hot New Year is in its sixth season, last year gathering 35,000 people from 36 states and ten countries to the heart of Columbia, S.C. A diverse, fun-loving crowd of all ages enjoys a safe, comfortable street celebration that extends down Gervais Street and beyond, brimming with Southern hospitality. In addition to the huge, free #FHNY concert and midnight fireworks show, guests enjoy plentiful cash bars serving beer, wine & bubbly; a “comfort zone” seating area with regional food vendors; free parking in city garages; Budweiser Alert Cab discounts; COMET bus service with park & ride locations and more.

Past performers have included Ms. Lauryn Hill (2015); The O’Jays and Misterwives (2014); Kool and the Gang and Z.Z. Ward (2013); The Wallflowers, Atlantic Starr and Biz Markie (2012) and George Clinton (2011). What started in 2012 as a NYE street concert and fireworks show has grown into a major statewide celebration, set amidst the capital city’s historic downtown dining and shopping districts, with multiple hotels within blocks of the festivities. Guests can plan their #FHNY at www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Live on NYE with Sister Hazel at Famously Hot New Year in Columbia, S.C.
S.C.’s Largest Free NYE Celebration

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2016
Time: 6:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
Location: Gervais at Sumter in downtown Columbia, S.C.
Price: Free

Headliner: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (New Orleans musical royalty, with high-energy, big brass, funk/jazz/rock sound)
Support: Sister Hazel (nationally beloved folk rock/jangle pop/classic Southern rock ‘n’ roll band from Gainesville, FL)
Opener: Capital City Playboys (Rockabilly/rock and roll party band with punk-inspired vigor, from Columbia, S.C.)

About Famously Hot New Year
Famously Hot New Year is South Carolina’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration, with a free, evening-length concert by a national headliner and the most colossal NYE fireworks display in the two Carolinas, adjacent to the historic S.C. State House in downtown Columbia, S.C. Since 2011, Famously Hot New Year has gathered diverse communities to enjoy the free concert and fireworks; regional food vendors; plentiful cash bars with beer, wine and bubbly; a festival atmosphere; free parking and more in the “New Southern Hot Spot.” In 2015, more than 35,000 guests attended from 36 states and ten countries. Plan your #FHNY at www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.

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