Trombone Shorty And Orleans Avenue Norfolk Concert reviews
Sedaris - brief and brilliant
It's a tribute to Trombone Shorty And Orleans Avenue, who is as good a writer as a performer, that there aren't many authors - especially those who appear regularly on public radio - who can pack thousands of folks into an Akron theater at $40-$80 a head.
I loved the Trombone Shorty And Orleans Avenue "concert" - he read for about an hour and 15 minutes from stories both new and a few older, and hilarious observations from his 'journal'. He is a unique talent. He answered a half dozen audience questions at length and with candor and wit.
My criticism is that the show is too brief. Certainly nowhere near the length of a typical concert. It's also going to disappoint if you want to hear your favorite story. Unlike a rock band, Trombone Shorty And Orleans Avenue rarely performs audience favorites but rather is doing new material - which is generally as good as any of his stuff. But maybe not what you anticipated.
It's also remarkable to see a guy walk onto a bare stage, folder of papers in his hand, and read for an hour or so. No lighting directors, sound checks, 18 wheelers backed up to the dock. And without any supporting cast like a comedy show (feature act, MC, headliner, etc.), it's a quick evening - unless you want to stand in line for god knows how long to get a book signed. (And Trombone Shorty And Orleans Avenue spends lots of time with each fan, so it is a very slow moving line.)