May 23rd 2024.
ACURA, the luxury automotive brand, is not just known for releasing stylish vehicles with the latest technology, but also for their efforts in giving back to the community. As a part of this commitment, ACURA partnered with the Trombone Shorty Foundation to present the 11th Annual Shorty Fest, a hallmark event that coincided with the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Fest, which was open and free to the public, brought Jazz enthusiasts from all over to Uptown New Orleans for a "Cultural Block Party" featuring delicious food from Jacques-Imo's and incredible performances from Mardi Gras Indians, high school marching bands, and local brass bands.
The event continued into the night at Tipitina's, a historic Jazz Club in New Orleans, where guests were treated to performances by Sun Ra Arkestra, Galactic feat. Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph, students from the Trombone Shorty Academy, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, who hails from the sixth ward of New Orleans. The Trombone Shorty Academy is a program that supports young musicians in the greater New Orleans region, providing them with mentorship, access to career development and opportunities, and weekly lessons to improve their skills on brass band instruments.
According to Ashley Shabankareh, the director of operations and programs at the foundation, the program's curriculum is heavily influenced by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews himself. He is involved in key moments throughout the year, such as having the students sit in with him during a set at Shorty Fest. The partnership between ACURA and the foundation was conceived by Antonio Jakes, the PR representative for Honda/ACURA, and has been going strong for several years now. Jakes was inspired by the magic and impact of the Trombone Shorty Foundation and saw the perfect opportunity to showcase ACURA's new ZDX Type S during the festival weekend in New Orleans.
The ZDX Type S, ACURA's first electric vehicle, was the highlight of the festival. With a sleek design and impressive stats, it is boasted to be the most powerful ACURA produced with 500 horsepower and 544 pounds of "maximum torque." It can go up to 325 miles on a single charge, making it a great option for long drives. The luxury aspect of the car is evident in its base price of $64,500, but it may qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. The Acura EV mobile app helps drivers locate charging stations, and the built-in Google maps app provides turn-by-turn navigation. The purchasing experience is also customizable, making it a top choice for those looking for a luxurious and practical vehicle. To see for yourself, check out the ZDX Type S today.
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