If anyone can pull off aligning himself with the famous Louis Armstrong it’s trumpet extraordinaire – James Andrews. James Andrews aka “12”, aka “Satchmo of the Ghetto “is a vocalist, songwriter, and trumpet legend from New Orleans. He hails from a musical family, the grandson of the late Jesse “Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo” Hill and the brother of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. A trumpeter and vocalist with a tone and voice as distinctive as Louis Armstrong, Andrews is one of the primary cultural ambassadors from the cradle of music.

 

Raised in the Treme neighborhood, Andrews started out playing in neighborhood brass bands, including the Treme Brass Band, Junior Olympia Brass Band, founded New Birth Brass Band and performed with the legendary NEA Jazz Master Danny Barker, before founding James Andrews and the Crescent City Allstars. He has played with Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, 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. 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 sizzle in the city!!!

 

In 1998, he released his debut album Satchmo of the Ghetto, produced by Allen Toussaint and featuring his friend and mentor Dr. John. Andrew’s second album “The Big Time Stuff’ you can hear, feel, smell, and taste New Orleans throughout this recording. Andrews wanted to “put a new twist on New Orleans Soul and flavor”.

 

In 2005, Andrews was one of the first musicians to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to play Jackson Square with his brother Trombone Shorty. He famously said from New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park: "We’re gonna rebuild this city note by note.”

 

Andrews appeared as himself in three episodes of the HBO series Treme: "Do Watcha Wanna," "Smoke My Peace Pipe" and "Yes We Can Can.” His appearances in the sparked a fire that rekindled the hearts of many and kept the spirit of New Orleans alive throughout the world over with his own rendition of “Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo.” Andrews’ contribution to the 2011 Grammy Nominated Soundtrack of the series has pivoted Andrews even more forward in his career as a stellar musician.

 

Known as much for his buoyant personality as his impeccable trumpet tone, Andrews can always be seen leading the second line for recently deceased musicians in the New Orleans music community. His song "Sixth Ward Soul" from the album “People Get Ready NOW” was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s four-star review for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund charity download. James Andrews and the Crescent City All Stars have a live album from the 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

 

He is an in-demand ambassador for New Orleans touring the world and headlining local events from Satchmo Festival to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His family is the backbone of New Orleans culture, and James Andrews carries that flame proudly.