Trombone Shorty is among the recipients of this year's Heinz Awards, one of the largest individual achievement prizes in the world. The trombonist will receive $250,000 from the Heinz Foundation.
In an official statement, the Foundation announced Shorty as this year's recipient of the Award in the Arts and Humanities categories in honor of "his achievements as a musician and for his community work to preserve and pass on to younger generations the rich musical heritage of his native New Orleans."
The Heinz Award was established in 1993 by Teresa Heinz, the chairwoman of the Heinz Family Foundation, in honor of her late husband, Senator H. John Heinz III. Each year, it recognizes outstanding individuals for their innovative contributions in five different areas: arts and humanities; environment; human condition; public policy; and technology, the economy and employment.
![Trombone Shorty plays Allen Toussaint Classic on Colbert [Watch]](https://assets.jazziz.com/2017/08/TromboneShorty.jpg)
