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Jul 02, 2014 By Laura Studarus Photography by Laura Studarus Trombone Shorty

Despite modern music’s determination to popularize any instrument not traditionally used in pop (See: Beirut’s trumpet, Owen Pallett’s violin, or Joanna Newsom’s harp), the trombone hasn’t seen much resurgence. It isn’t naturally a sexy instrument. However, Trombone Shorty would beg to differ. His set on Monday night at Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (alongside backing band Orleans Avenue) made a strong argument for the oft over-looked band class staple.

The ebullient show (largely culled from last year’s album, Say That to Say This), played like a tribute to the power genre mash-ups, Shorty (ne Troy Andrews) dipping into big band riffs, R&B funk, and rap. Downbeat magazine may have called him one of the most exciting things currently happening in jazz, but by the time the hour and a half-long performance came to a close, it was difficult not to call him one of the most exciting undiscovered acts in music—full stop. Down with apathy, up with brass.

Check out a full gallery of images here.

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