Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue is an American funk, jazz, and soul band led by the talented trombonist and trumpeter Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. Hailing from New Orleans, the group blends a variety of musical genres, including jazz, funk, R&B, and rock, creating a high-energy sound that captures the essence of their hometown’s rich musical heritage. Known for their electrifying live performances, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue have garnered a global following with their dynamic, horn-driven music and Trombone Shorty’s virtuosic skills on brass instruments.

Born Troy Andrews, Trombone Shorty got his start (and nickname) earlier than most: at four, he made his first appearance at Jazz Fest performing with Bo Diddley; at six, he was leading his own brass band; and by his teenage years, he was hired by Lenny Kravitz to join the band he assembled for his Electric Church World Tour. Shorty’s proven he’s more than just a horn player, though. Catch a gig, open the pages of the New York Times or Vanity Fair, flip on any late-night or morning TV show and you’ll see an undeniable star with utterly magnetic charisma, a natural born showman who can command an audience with the best of them.

Since 2010, he’s released five chart topping studio albums (his most recent being 2022’s Lifted); toured with everyone from Jeff Beck to the Red Hot Chili Peppers; collaborated across genres with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Foo Fighters, ZHU, Zac Brown, Normani, Ringo Starr, and countless more; played Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Newport Folk, Newport Jazz, and nearly every other major festival; performed four times at the GRAMMY Awards, six times at the White House, on dozens of TV shows, and at the star-studded Sesame Street Gala, where he was honored with his own Muppet; launched the Trombone Shorty Foundation to support youth music education; and received the prestigious Caldecott Honor for his first children’s book.

Meanwhile in New Orleans, Shorty now leads his own Mardi Gras parade atop a giant float crafted in his likeness, hosts the annual Treme Threauxdown shows that have drawn guests including Usher, Nick Jonas, Dierks Bentley, Andra Day, and Leon Bridges to sit in with his band, and has taken over the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s hallowed final set, which has seen him closing out the internationally renowned gathering after performances by the likes of Neil Young, the Black Keys, and Kings of Leon.

Since the release of Lifted, Shorty and his band have made appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, TODAY and Good Morning America, and CBS Mornings. Shorty has also recently performed at the MusiCares pre-GRAMMY Awards gala, the Roots Picnic with Lil Wayne, on the instantly legendary NPR Tiny Desk featuring Juvenile, and at the White House’s 2024 Juneteenth concert. His recent 2024 summer tour featured special guest Big Boi and included a stop at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Southern Avenue

Southern Avenue, the Blues Music Award-winning, GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based family band, plays original Memphis blues, modern soul, and gospel-infused roots music that is uplifting and timeless. They are known worldwide for their inclusive, message-driven songs fueled by hard-hitting grooves and electrifying guitar.

The band’s new album, Family, makes it clear that Southern Avenue creates musical storytelling magic. The band is unlike any other on the scene today, featuring lead vocalist/songwriter Tierinii Jackson, her husband, guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly, and her sisters, drummer/vocalist/songwriter Tikyra “T.K.” Jackson and percussionist/violinist/vocalist Ava Jackson.

“Through our music,” says Naftaly, “we expand our family to include our fans and whomever is moved by our songs.” The inspiring harmonies of the church-raised Jackson sisters are fueled by guitarist Naftaly, whose passion for blues and soul music led him to Memphis from his birthplace in Israel.

Together, Southern Avenue blends the city’s musical traditions with their own thoroughly modern worldview. Their authentic and unfiltered original songs are a bold step in defining the future of Memphis music. They are among the most musically riveting and visually exciting live bands. Jambase.com states, “Southern Avenue is jaw-dropping. They are not to be missed.”

Tusk is the number one Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world, bar none. No wigs, no backing tracks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note for note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating.

Tusk covers all the great hits of Fleetwood Mac, which has featured the talents of Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and others over the years. The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for over twenty-five years. It seemed only fitting that they should come together to form the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, and pay homage to a group that dominated the charts during the band members’ formative years. Authentic-sounding and always respectful, Tusk leaves no stone unturned in replicating the sounds of one of the world’s best-loved, top-selling bands.

A concert of Diva Showstoppers featuring a Glinda and Elphaba from the Broadway company of WICKED, GOOD WITCH/BAD WITCH has been thrilling audiences coast to coast with their stunning vocals and playful banter!

ABOUT ALYSSA FOX

Alyssa Fox, originally from Dallas, Texas, is best known for her acclaimed portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, where she led the company in celebration of the show’s 20th anniversary. A Wicked veteran of 14 years, Alyssa began her journey with the musical as an understudy in the San Francisco production before finishing multiple Elphaba standby contracts on both the National Tour and Broadway. She also recently lent her voice to the soundtrack of the first Wicked movie adaptation.

Beyond Wicked, Alyssa also starred as Elsa in Disney’s Frozen with the closing company of the U.S. National Tour, having previously originated the Elsa standby role in the original Broadway cast.

Alyssa’s versatility has been showcased in numerous concert appearances, including the national tour of Disney Princess – The Concert and performances with Disney Concerts. She also stars in a Wicked NPR Tiny Desk Concert alongside Stephen Schwartz and McKenzie Kurtz. Additional credits include Frozen(North Shore Music Theatre) and Cats (Starring Buffalo).

Follow her on Instagram: @alyssajoyfox

ABOUT ALLI MAUZEY 

Alli Mauzey most recently starred on Broadway in the Tony Award Winning Best Musical Kimberly Akimbo as Pattie. A role she also created at The Atlantic Theater Company. Other Broadway credits include Glinda in Wicked, a role she also performed to critical acclaim on the First National Tour and the San Francisco company, Ernestina in the Tony Award winning revival of Hello, Dolly!, Lenora in the musical Cry-Baby, for which she won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for a Drama League Award, Brenda in Hairspray (both on Broadway and in the original company of the First National Tour) and as a Special Guest Artist in Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls. Other New York Credits include, New York City Center Encores in the role of Minerva in The Golden Apple as well as Sydney in It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman, and the Off-Broadway production of Red Eye of Love. Regionally, she has appeared as Mallory in City of Angels for Reprise! in Los Angeles, Snookie in 110 in the Shade at the Pasadena Playhouse, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at The Muny, for which she was nominated for a Kevin Kline Award.

Ms. Mauzey performs with symphony orchestras all around the world including but not limited to three engagements with The Philly Pops, Ellie in Show Boat with the New York Philharmonic, the title role in Cinderella alongside the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Wurttenbembreg Philharmonic of Reutlingen (Germany), and the world famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Upcoming and recent engagements include the Cleveland Pops, Maui Pops Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Among many voiceover credits, her voice can be heard as a series regular on the animated television series Alpha Teens on Machines. She has a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in drama and a minor in music.

Small Business Saturday

This holiday season we hope you'll join us in supporting our small business community as you look for that extra something special for family, friends, loved ones, and maybe even yourself. New London has an eclectic and cool scene of retailers, galleries, artisans, restaurants, and bars that are all run and staffed by folks from our community. We hope you'll swing through and support them early and often!

We're kicking it off right with Small Business Saturday on November 29th. Shops will have specials, sales, and more including some entertainment options. We hope you'll join us.

Stay tuned to this space for more details from some of our shops and restaurants.

Santa Shopping Stroll - Grab a map and explore the charming streets of downtown New London as you shop for holiday gifts. Check out the list of special offers from the businesses participating on that day. Make sure to visit all the locations to collect Christmas stamps on your map. Turn in your completed map to Flavour of Life for a chance to win a fabulous DNLA merchant gift basket. Enjoy this delightful day-long holiday shopping extravaganza!

New London, CT., December 26, 2025- The City of New London and the New London NAACP will have a ceremony tonight starting at 5:00 pm at the Parade Plaza to light the Kinara for the first night of Kwanzaa. We invite the community to come out and enjoy the celebration.

The colors of each candle have symbolic meanings. The black candle represents the African people, the red candles symbolize their struggles, and the green represents hope for the future. The number of candles represents the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Together, the candles are called the mishumaa saba. The candles are lit according to the numbering of the Principles:

Umoja (1)- (Unity) To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia (2) - (Self-Determination)

Ujima (3) - (Collective Work and Responsibility)

Ujamaa (4)- (Cooperative Economics)

Nia (5) - (Purpose)

Kuumba (6) - (Creativity)

Imani (7) - (Faith)

The word kinara is a Swahili word that means candle holder. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. Red, green, and black are the symbolic colors of the holiday. During the week of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day.