Acura Joins Forces with Trombone Shorty Foundation to Support Future of Music Education in New Orleans
- 'Playing it Forward' video from Acura offers inside look at Trombone Shorty Foundation
- Acura investment in NOLA's music community includes 18th year with Jazz Fest, sponsorship of "Shorty Fest 2017" and "Trad Fridays" at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Apr 25, 2017, 13:38 ET
TORRANCE, Calif., April 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Acura is building on the brand's 18-year commitment to the music and arts of New Orleans as the automaker joins iconic bandleader, singer, songwriter and producer, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, as Official Automotive Partner of the Trombone Shorty Foundation's Shorty Fest and Trad Fridays. Acura's support of the non-profit Trombone Shorty Foundation will help the organization create a year-round impact on the city's cultural community and further its commitment to perpetuate the musical heritage of New Orleans through music education, instruction, mentorship and performance: https://youtu.be/iuKz3OMiOUY.
Acura is entering its 18th year of continued sponsorship of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as the official automotive and main stage sponsor beginning Friday, April 28 and running through Sunday, May 7.
The partnership continues Acura's relationship with Trombone Shorty and his drive to further local music education through Acura's backing of his Shorty Fest fundraising concert, and Trad Fridays, Shorty's partnership with the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts to help preserve traditional New Orleans jazz music for future generations.
"For 18 years the music scene in New Orleans has been a dynamic fit for the Acura brand and we are honored to support the incredible contributions the Trombone Shorty Foundation is making to advance local musicians and maintain the one-of-a-kind musical culture of New Orleans," said Jon Ikeda, vice president of Acura Sales.
Acura and the Trombone Shorty Foundation
In conjunction with the Trombone Shorty Foundation, for the second year Acura will serve as the official automotive sponsor of the Shorty Fest benefit concert hosted by Trombone Shorty. Shorty Fest is the Foundation's main New Orleans annual fundraiser and is scheduled for Thursday, May 4, at the House of Blues. Trombone Shorty, backed by his band Orleans Avenue, also is marking his fifth year closing out the Acura Stage at Jazz Fest.
Acura returns for a second year presenting Trad Fridays at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). Trad Fridays is a celebration of teaching traditional brass-band street music to the classically trained students at NOCCA.
Acura and Jazz Fest
Entering its 18th year as official vehicle partner of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the automaker is again set to present The Acura Main Stage, or "Acura Stage," that has hosted legendary musicians each year at Jazz Fest. The tradition continues in 2017 with a diverse range of performances by some of the world's most celebrated musicians including Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, Harry Connick Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and more, performing on the Acura Stage.
Festival goers have the opportunity to visit the Acura Product Experience tent, which includes the full model lineup, including the Acura NSX Supercar, virtual reality driving games and more. The Acura Product Experience is open to the public and provides select lucky festival attendees the chance to win access to the exclusive Acura VIP Lounge and special passes to the Acura side stage.
For the full lineup of artists and more information on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, visit www.nojazzfest.com.
Acura and Music
Acura has a long history with music and musicians beyond its support of the New Orleans music and arts scene. Acura has supported the GRAMMY's MusiCares Foundation for five years, which provides critical assistance to the music community through services and resources covering a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, where each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. In support of the MusiCares Foundation, a custom 2017 Acura NSX was auctioned to Tom Petty at the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute earlier this year.
Music has served as a powerful soundtrack to Acura's Precision Crafted Performance brand direction through a selection of artists and tracks that share the energy and emotion behind the brand and its vehicles. Music has become an integral part of the brand's marketing and communication with customers, and can be heard in the most recent campaigns and vehicle communications. Most recently, Kid Ink's "The Movement" helped launch the 2018 TLX, Beck's "Wow" headlined the 2017 MDX marketing campaign, and Van Halen's "Runnin' with the Devil" served as the soundtrack for Acura's 2016 Super Bowl TV spot, starring the next-generation NSX.
Acura not only supports musicians and their music, but the brand prioritizes the music experience in its vehicles. Most Acura products feature the award-winning Panasonic ELS Studio Premium Audio System that produces vibrant and lustrous audio performance with strikingly authentic tonal quality. Acura's in-vehicle sound is designed, engineered and manufactured in collaboration with Grammy® award-winning recording engineer and producer Elliot Scheiner.
For More Information
Consumer information is available at www.acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.
About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, an original approach to technology and design that creates a new driving experience.
The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV. Last spring, Acura launched its next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.
SOURCE Acura