Trombone Shorty

Written By Justin Merriman









Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews performs to a sold out show at the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh on Wednesday evening, December 29th. The 24-year-old sensation, not only known for his playing of the trombone, but also for his singing and songwriting, took to the stage with an energy that filled the packed venue. Performing a variety of songs including songs from his 2010 Grammy nominated debut CD, Backatown, Trombone Shorty did not disappoint and even after an over two hour set still left the crowd wanting more.

Backatown features the band's trademark “Supafunkrock" sound, an explosive, homegrown blend of funk, rock, R&B and hip-hop that has been exciting audiences worldwide.

Trombone Shorty is part of two other 2011 Grammy-nominated projects: his version of “Ooh Pooh Pah Doo" is on Treme, Music From the HBO Original Series, Season One, a nominee for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media; and he plays with Dr. John on “Down in New Orleans" (from Disney's The Princess and the Frog), nominated for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Do yourself a favor and if you don't know who Trombone Shorty is...find his music and buy it!
Justin Merriman

Justin Merriman is a freelance photojournalist, commercial photographer, licensed drone pilot, and filmmaker based in Pittsburgh. His career began in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he worked as a newspaper photographer dedicated to community storytelling and politics. Since then, his work has been recognized with regional, national, and international awards and has appeared in publications around the world.

After covering the crash of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001, Merriman committed to documenting the U.S. military’s War on Terror, reporting from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and across the United States. His international assignments have also included life in Fidel Castro’s Cuba, India’s campaign to eradicate polio, the aftermath of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba in 2012, the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis in Rome, the second anniversary of Egypt’s revolution, Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea, and the uncertain future of Guantanamo Bay in 2015. That same year, he traveled the full U.S.–Mexico border to document immigration issues.

In addition to photography, Merriman works as a director and filmmaker, creating recent films on refugees in Turkey, Jordan, India, and South Africa.

Closer to home, he frequently covers stories across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, focusing on the intersections of economic, environmental, and political life. Most recently, he reported on the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and its impact on the community.

Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Merriman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with a B.A. in English Writing. In 2009, the university awarded him its prestigious Alumnus of Distinction award. He is a founding member of Argo Collective, a group of photographers sharing diverse visions of America. He lives outside Pittsburgh with his wife, Stephanie Strasburg, a photojournalist with PublicSource.

http://www.justinmerriman.com
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