Mardi Gras partying in D.C. started a little early this weekend in the form of two shows by New Orleans trombonist Troy Andrews, also known as Trombone Shorty and his band, Orleans Avenue. At Saturday’s sold-out show, Shorty showed off that awesome ability of so many NOLA musicians to revamp classic Cajun and zydeco sounds. His take on “Brain Stew” by Green Day and “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz were a thrill. Shorty even showed some D.C. love with “On Your Way Down,” an Allen Toussaint song dripping with go-go beats, and led the delighted crowd in chanting, “Wind me up Chuck!” at the end.

As a true New Orleans music devotee, the highlight of the night for me was hearing Shorty and the band rip up Earl King‘s “Big Chief” with Ivan Neville on keys. D.C. isn’t New Orleans, but thanks to Trombone Shorty, it made us all miss it just a little less.

See photos from the show in the gallery.