New Orleans luminaries, Cuban musicians, and students unite in a transformative musical journey.
Since 2018, the Trombone Shorty Foundation has been fostering a unique cultural exchange through its “Getting Funky In Havana” program. In collaboration with Afro-Cuban rockstar Cimafunk and Cuba Educational Travel, the foundation recently returned to Havana from January 11-15, 2024.
The program brought together an impressive lineup of New Orleans musical icons, including Ivan Neville, Anders Osborne, PJ Morton, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Mannie Fresh, Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Big Chief Juan Pardo, Big Freedia, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Joining them were 10 students from the foundation’s Trombone Shorty Academy, along with Cuban powerhouse musicians Pedrito Martinez, Yissy Garcia, Keyon Harrold, and Nik West.
A highlight of the Havana experience was a visit to the Guillermo Tomas Conservatory in the Guanabocoa neighborhood, emphasizing the nation’s deep Afro-Cuban roots. Students from the Shorty Academy collaborated with Cuban counterparts, fostering a cultural exchange that transcended borders.
Bill Taylor, Founding Executive Director of the Trombone Shorty Foundation, expressed the program’s mission, stating, “Bringing this stellar amalgamation of New Orleans culture bearers to Havana unites our two countries through music, despite a long history of political division.”
The Guillermo Tomas Conservatory visit is not only an educational endeavor but also a platform for giving back. The foundation, in partnership with the non-profit Horns to Havana, brought much-needed new instruments to the school.
“Getting Funky In Havana” extended beyond the educational realm, featuring performances where New Orleans and Cuban musicians shared the stage. The festivities began on January 13th with a performance by Cuban rumba group Muñequitos de Matanzas, followed by a superjam led by PJ Morton and Yissy Garcia at the legendary venue “Fabrica de Arte Cubano” on January 12th.
The program also included performances by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Los Van Van, Wampi, Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville, and Alain Pérez, capturing the essence of the musical connection between the two cultures.
Cimafunk, a key collaborator and curator of the program, emphasized the significance of celebrating shared culture and traditions between Cuba and New Orleans. “It’s all about the funk!” he declared.
Supported by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation and generous guests, the trip offered participants various activities to connect with the Cuban people, including dance classes, percussion lessons, and interactions with local artists.
Trombone Shorty, reflecting on the program, stated, “This trip is a reminder of how music can connect people across nations, keeping the roots of New Orleans music alive and setting the stage for the next generation of musicians to come.”
Shorty’s connection with Havana dates back to 1988, inspiring the foundation’s mission to recreate and share the transformative experience through cultural exchange. The “Getting Funky In Havana” program continues to build bridges, celebrating the unifying essence of music. Learn more about this program here.
