Down in the Treme… Buckjumpin’ and having fun

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

The 5 O’Clock Band
By Trombone Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
With Bill Taylor
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
(Adams Books for Young Readers)

Many New Orleans locals will recognize the folks that a young Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews meets along his way one fateful day in the tale that is the centerpiece of the trombonist’s children’s book, The 5 O’Clock Band. He’s kind of blue as he feels he let down his youthful group of musicians by not showing up promptly at their regular meeting time, which, as the name of the band and book indicates is at 5 p.m. in the evening. The story finds Shorty despondent as he ponders whether he’s got what it takes to someday, as he dreams, be the leader of his own band. “Where y’at?” is the way the community leaders and legends greet the young boy who they have known for most of his life.

In the French Quarter’s Jackson Square, Shorty is hailed in that typical New Orleans manner by Tuba Treme, who, of course represents the warm, sharing, much-loved and talented Anthony “Tuba Fats” Lacen. Shorty stops and the two musicians play “When the Saints Go Marching In” together before the big tuba man offers the youngster a simply bit of truth and wisdom about what is of utmost importance: “Tradition.”

Shorty’s next encounter is with Queen Lola cooking up a pot of red beans and rice. The woman at the stove obviously, to us here in New Orleans at least, represents a true culinary royal, humanitarian and civil rights activist, Leah Chase. The chef’s answer to Shorty’s question on how she can produce such amazingly tasty food every day is also straight-forward: “Love.” She also wisely suggests that the trombonist go back out and try to find the rest of his guys.

The Treme neighborhood, which until recent years was known primarily as New Orleans 6th Ward and where Andrews spent his youth, was and remains a culturally rich neighborhood. Social aid and pleasure club parades, brass bands, jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indians are a part of life there. So for Shorty to run into a gang of Black Indians during his search to find the 5 O’Clock Band perfectly fits the scenario of his adventures. The Big Chief, who unlike the other subjects in this tale, isn’t given a specific name, offers the same salutation: “Where y’at?”

Shorty, still contemplating his predicament of finding his musical cohorts and having inner doubts about his ability to lead a band asks the chief: “What does it take to be the Big Chief?” His answer was succinct, heartfelt and honest: “Dedication.”

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews has remembered and held true to these life lessons – tradition, love and dedication – as demonstrated by his successful career and the importance he places on giving back to the community by establishing the youth-oriented Trombone Shorty Foundation to which a portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated.

The beautifully colorful and lively illustrations by award winning artist Bryan Collier weren’t meant to actually portray Shorty or the other subjects mentioned in the book though they wonderfully capture their spirits and energy. There’s a big smile on the face of Queen Lola as she dishes out her food to the hungry Shorty with the delicious aroma of it practically whiffing off the page. Tuba Treme, who is shown sitting by a fence in Jackson Square – Tuba Fats’ regular spot – is all smiles too as is the Big Chief, whose hands are raised up in a loving greeting.

“The 5 O’Clock Band” stands as the companion book to 2015’s Trombone Shorty, which is a warmly told, child-friendly autobiography of the trombonist’s youth when he had the opportunity to share a stage with the great Bo Diddley to more recent years as he’s traveled the world with is band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. While his brother, trumpeter James Andrews rightfully gets credit for his influence and giving him the handle, Trombone Shorty, this new book takes Andrews’ wonderful, community-based Treme neighborhood and the people who make it vital into further consideration.

Getting the Flavor of the Real Treme

As regular Essence Festival attendees from out-of-town know, part of the enjoyment of the experience is that their downtown hotels are located so close to all of the activities at the Superdome, the Convention Center and the French Quarter. The Tremé neighborhood is also nearby with many of its attractions just several blocks away from the Quarter across North Rampart Street. Jumping on one of the shiny, red streetcars on Canal Street and heads down Rampart makes the trip a cinch. Here are several spots really worth the short trip.

The Backstreet Cultural Museum, 1116 Henriette Delille Street, just a block from Rampart, boasts “A Powerhouse of Knowledge.” Its focus is on Black cultural traditions of the uniquely New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, jazz funerals and social aid and pleasure clubs’ annual anniversary secondlines and their accompanying brass bands. The museum contains the largest collection of magnificent Black Indian, handmade “suits” as well as parade memorabilia and photographs. Tours of this jewel are offered from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10.

Just up a few blocks away is Treme’s Petit Jazz Museum, 1500 Gov. Nicholls Street. Curated by owner and historian Alvin Jackson, visitors are guided through words and photos through the history of the development of ragtime music and jazz from West Africa through the Caribbean and to New Orleans and its historic Congo Square. It also houses absolute verification that Louis Armstrong was born on July 1, 1900, just like the great jazzman always said and contrary to what modern “discoveries” have found. We, of course, believed Satchmo all along. The Petit is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults with discounted admission for seniors and students.

This article originally published in the July 2, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.