Traditional Jazz Outfit Bookends Region with Two Shows This Weekend

Emily Asher (by Joanna Levey)

Emily Asher (by Joanna Levey)

(HUDSON, N.Y. and GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – Trombonist-vocalist Emily Asher brings her traditional-style jazz outfit, Garden Party, to the region this weekend for two shows – Friday, January 11, 2013, at Club Helsinki Hudson, for a dance party from 9pm  to 11pm, preceded by two dance workshops; and Saturday, January 12, at Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington. Led by Asher’s tenacious trombone and sweet vocals, Garden Party is a band of all-stars from New York City’s vibrant early jazz scene, drawing on the repertoire of Louis Armstrong’s enchanting Hot Fives and Duke Ellington’s sophisticated melodies to the funky and soulful music of New Orleans brass bands.

Seattle native Emily Asher is a rising musical personality in New York City, leading Garden Party and the Emily Asher Quartet, and making regular appearances with Brooklyn-based Baby Soda Jazz Band. She toured North America with the ground-breaking Mighty Aphrodite Jazz Band and Europe with New Orleans’ Tuba Skinny. Asher has performed at small private events for Kofi Anan, Barbara Walters, Tom Brokaw and distinguished foreign diplomats.

Asher recorded and performed with Wycliffe Gordon on his “Hello Pops!” tribute to Louis Armstrong, and is a member of Nicholas Payton’s Television Studio Orchestra. Her bold, expressive style has led to sharing the stage with Branford Marsalis, Frank Wess, Anat Cohen and many others. Asher’s debut album, Dreams May Take You, featuring Wycliffe Gordon, Philip Dizack, Bria Skonberg and seven other outstanding musicians, was officially released April 15, 2012.

Asher earned three Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Washington. Upon graduating in 2004 she was hired as the Director of Bands at Ballou Junior High School in Puyallup, Washington where she taught for three years. In May of 2009 she completed her master’s in music performance from CUNY Queens College.

 

 

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