Jazzy Ash invites students to come along on a Crescent City inspired, jazzy music adventure with her band the Leaping Lizards. She’s a talented and prolific songwriter as well as a musical treasure hunter, highlighting traditional songs, rhythms and rhymes that have been handed down by African-American children, adults, and musicians for generations.
For The Riverboat concert, Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards will perform originals like “Throw Me Something Mista” that conjures the spirit of a Mardi Gras parade, as well as jazz standards including “When the Saints go Marching In” and Louis Armstrong’s “Heebie Jeebies” in front of gorgeous projected images of New Orleans, Congo Square, the Louisiana bayou, and even a field of fireflies.
Her latest album, Good Foot, pays homage to the solid gold sounds of Black American music in the 1950s and 1960s. From Motown to doo-wop, rock-and-roll and touching on the early days of funk, Jazzy Ash has tapped into the soul of these music genres. With her signature powerful vocals, rock solid musicianship and good old fashioned fun, Jazzy Ash truly engages audiences of all ages. “I’m still so blown away this kind of music, which is so full of life and joy, was created during one of the most socially and politically chaotic eras in American history- especially for Black people,” says Ash.“They found ways to have hope and happiness, even through the most difficult times.That’s what we need right now.”
An early childhood education specialist and ukulele instructor, she offers beginning ukulele workshops for teachers, librarians, and students of all ages.
Ashli St. Armant is known for her award-winning work in children’s education and entertainment, including the creation of NORTH The Musical, which premiered in 2022. Commissioned by Lied Center of Kansas, Chandler Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and Playhouse Square, NORTH follows the journey of a precocious teenage boy named Lawrence and his young mother, Minnie, as they escape the Deep South and travel North through the Underground Railroad, to seek their freedom. NORTH is based on actual accounts of slave escapes through the Underground Railroad network.
She is also a celebrated author and well known for her Audible mystery series, Viva Durant, which includes New York Times bestselling story, Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons.
Jazzy Ash fully connects with her own family’s roots yet incorporates those decades-old traditions into 21st century kids music. – NPR