Jazzfest 2011 Press Highlights

“Day three's showstopper was Glen David Andrews, who rocked the blues, took it to church and carried it into the moshpit. The gospel/R&B singer and trombonist played an electrifying set with a band that quickly evolved into a super-group with fiddler Amanda Shaw, boogie pianist Marcia Ball and breakout star Trombone Shorty joining in. Andrews bellowed, leaped in the air, fell to his knees, waved a yellow handkerchief and crowd-surfed — twice. His rollicking performance accommodated everything from Down in the Tremé to a Cajunized version of The Clash's Should I Stay or Should I Go.” Edna Gundersen
Highlights from New Orleans Jazzfest 2011… Glen David Andrews at the Blues Tent: "You've seen him on Tremé," the MC said, introducing this singer and trombonist, who is a cousin of Trombone Shorty and trumpeter James Andrews. Isn't everybody in town on that HBO show? Onstage, Glen seemed too big for any screen, with a Jay-Z physique and a voice big enough to accommodate James Brown and Wilson Pickett. Andrews also has a catholic enthusiam when it comes to New Orleans funk: His band included barrelhouse-blues pianist Marcia Ball and the young Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw. And it is rare to see crowd surfing at a Jazz Fest show – especially by a guy in a cream-colored suit wielding a trombone. Thirty minutes into his set, Andrews still hadn't played the thing. But everybody in the tent knew of his chops – and the showtime was too good to complain. David Fricke / Alternate Take
Glen David Andrews is coming for you, and resistance is futile…
“…if you weren't in the Gospel Tent on Sunday at the close of New Orleans Jazz Fest 2011, you can't appreciate his ability to summon energies of prodigious scope in the name of God almighty. Approximating the power released by a six-pack of hydrogen bombs detonated at tent central, carrying his audience along on a wild ride from one detonation to the next, Andrews was searingly, exhaustingly astonishing. At various junctures Sunday he assumed the role of preacher, musician, social agitator and telethon host. Wielding a trombone like a Wotan's spear of ultimate authority, he issued blasts of sound to this corner of the tent, and that one. His voice, a husky baritone rising up to a cry of I-dare-you-to-not-respond sweat-tinged fervor, shook the place. Innocents and observers, watch out. He's coming after you.” Andrew Adler
“My favorite act of the weekend, though, was Glen David Andrews and company at the Blues Tent on Sunday afternoon. Sitting in with Glen were Marcia Ball, Amanda Shaw and Paul Sanchez. By the time the show started, it was pretty hot and sweaty inside the Blues Tent, and an opening number by Marcia Ball really got the crowd going. Andrews had the crowd on its feet from the beginning, and never let up. About 20 minutes into the set, Glen so wound up the crowd that he jumped in and began to crowd surf through the tent. Pretty amazing, exhilarating stuff.”
Jan Ramsey, editor
Before his set began, Glen David Andrews worked the crowd, going up and down the aisles like a politician. As soon as he hit the stage, Andrews held the crowd in the palm of his hand and didn't let go for the duration of his set. Cheers erupted as he introduced guests Paul Sanchez, Amanda Shaw and Marcia Ball, They powered through stirring renditions of, "I Walk on Guilded Splinters", "Should I Stay or Should I Go", and his unreleased jam, "Rock Star (Like Mike)". Then Andrews got the crowd standing - and it what may be a Blues Tent first - crowd-surfed some 20 rows into the audience. The real treat though, was at the end, when he introduced (his cousin) Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, and they played another version of "Rockstar (Like Mike)". Gambit May 17, 2011
New Orleans Jazzfest Picks for Second Sunday… “Glen David Andrews, gospel tent” Keith Spera, May 7, 2011
“Glen David Andrews may have established a new Jazz Fest tradition by closing the Gospel Tent.” Keith Spera, May 9, 2011