the
age of eight Ashley came home from school after seeing a demonstration
of musical instruments and announced that she wanted to take violin
lessons. After a year of conventional training with the local violin
teacher, Ashley began studying with Charl Ann Gastineau who smartly
combined classical and fiddle music into her regime. With foresight
that ultimately proved to be a pivotal milestone, Charl Ann encouraged
Ashley to simultaneously learn mandolin.
For the next several years Ashley competed in local, state, and
national fiddle and mandolin competitions, winning the Western Open
Master Picker Championship in 2003 and 2004.
After high school, Ashley went on to major in music at Moorpark
College where she studied 'cello with Stephen Custer of the L.A.
Philharmonic and violin with Diane Gilbert. During this time she
kindled a growing interest in classical composition, all the while
teaching violin and mandolin privately and in class settings. In
2005 and 2007 she served on the faculty of the Mandolin Symposium
in Santa Cruz, CA. She also assisted Mike Marshall in the preparation
of his mandolin method books.
That same year Ashley met Celtic violinist Jamie Laval and spent
the ensuing six months forging a new duo style, rendering the traditional
Celtic music of Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Québec with
hints of classical refinement and ethnic music from around the world.
The pair now tours together full-time throughout the U.S., Canada
and Scotland.
"Broder's fluency on eight strings is nothing less than staggering" Sing
Out!
"Jamie and Ashley weave around time signatures - and each other's
playing - like two highwire acrobats" Dirty
Linen
"...the quasi-classical "Staircase" (written by Broder)
approaches the avant-garde shadings of the Kronos String Quartet" Dirty
Linen
"This CD is BY FAR one of the most incredible releases I have
heard in years. Only 2 of you ? OK, you both have 6 arms right?" IRFT
radio
“The amount of energy and sound that belts out from just the
two musicians [Jamie & Ashley] is mesmerizing. And while their
chemistry is apparent on their recently released album Zephyr
In The Confetti Factory, the real magic happens during
their live performances. This is roots-based progressive acoustic
string music that inspires, intrigues, and above all else, entertains.” Knoxville
Metro Pulse
"Some CDs get listened to once. Some get listened to a couple
of times and put on the shelf. Zephyr in the Confetti Factory is
a CD
you will listen to again and again and again" Victory
Music Magazine
“Jamie Laval and Ashley Broder are one of the best Celtic
duos to play at the Freight and Salvage. They take the form and
stretch it into new styles, where both Laval's violin and Broder's
mandolin take the lead, weaving in and out of each other in delightful
duets.” Larry
Kelp, East Bay Express
"You don't even have to be interested in the (Celtic) genre
to enjoy what these two do on their CD and in their show...
they are fine musicians who bring lots of spirit to the material
...not to be missed!" - Don
Stiernberg
"...a truly inspired duo...VERY imaginatively arranged, and
with a great sense of humor" - Robin
Bullock
"...their music isn't so pedantic
as to merely be about virtuosity or arresting prowess.
Certainly, they impress, but they don't 'flaunt,' and this is what
makes their playing so captivatingly gorgeous" -
Jazzmando
"A rising
star in the world of traditional and alternative music who is as
comfortable playing
in formal musical settings as in spontaneous jam sessions"
- Mike
Marshall
"There
is an effortlessness about Ashley's playing...her music spins out
like a sinuous ribbon of pure fun" - Jamie
Laval
"Really,
really freaking good. Better than
giraffes, actually" - JT
Matherly
"There aren't even that many
chords on a mandolin!" David
Kaynor
"Ashley is young, charming and could play the mandolin in her
sleep. What a talent" - Trinity
Journal
"...captures the essence of Celtic tradition, both the heartbreak
and the grizzled wisdom, making music out of the banshee wails that
are forgotten in time" - Metro
Pulse
"I enjoy your duo work. Just a fiddle and mandolin,
but a
full sound. I wish you all the best in your music" - Grit
Laskin
" I was not prepared for the extraordinary performance Jamie
Laval and Ashley Broder delivered. Amazing instrumental interplay,
impeccable musicianship, a thoughtful, varied program, and a warm,
comfortable interaction with their audience added up to one of the
top shows in our 10 years of presenting acoustic music at Barking
Legs Theater. The appeal of this duo should extend well beyond fans
of Celtic music to the wider audience for virtuosic acoustic music.
We’ve already booked their return engagement!"
- Bruce Kaplan, concert presenter for Barking
Legs Theater
"Jamie Laval and Ashley Broder performed for our concert series
on March 31, 2007. WOW! Their music is sublime. They are truly world
class musicians. They reach the audience on an intimate level, with
an inventive, surprising, and beautiful variety of material. This
delightful duo is a ‘must hear, and must see’."
- Tim Day, Vice Chairman of San
Diego Folk Heritage
“One of the most impressive shows we’ve ever had
in the Living Traditions concert series.”
- Steve Dulsen, concert presenter for Living
Traditions
the
age of eight Ashley came home from school after seeing a demonstration
of musical instruments and announced that she wanted to take violin
lessons. After a year of conventional training with the local violin
teacher, Ashley began studying with Charl Ann Gastineau who smartly
combined classical and fiddle music into her regime. With foresight
that ultimately proved to be a pivotal milestone, Charl Ann encouraged
Ashley to simultaneously learn mandolin.