MARQUETTE, Mich.—Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will perform at 7:30 p.m.  Thursday, Sept. 16, at Kaufman Auditorium. The concert will serve the dual purpose of closing the UNITED Conference and opening the 2010-11 NMU International Performing Arts Series at Northern Michigan University.

Led by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, the New Orleans band plays an unprecedented mix of rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul. Andrews created his own name to describe the signature sound: Supafunkrock. The group’s latest album, Backatown, was released last April.

Equally adept on trombone and trumpet, Andrews plays a variety of other instruments as well. He's applied the same skill sets and fierce discipline to his vocal instrument, to soulful effect. Surrounding Andrews is his band, Orleans Avenue: Mike Ballard on bass, Pete Murano on guitar, Joey Peebles on drums, Dwayne Williams on percussion and Dan Oestreicher on baritone sax. For more information, visit tromboneshorty.com.

Advance tickets are $11 for students, $19 for NMU faculty/staff and seniors 60 and older and $24 for the general public. They are available at all NMU EZ Ticket outlets or online at www.nmu.edu/tickets. Tickets purchased at the door cost $1-$2 more.