Jamie Laval and Ashley Broder
A Sound All Their Own
The fateful meeting last June of two already widely esteemed performers produced
a frenzy of creative inspiration, resulting in a colorful, exciting, and
completely unique approach to Roots-based progressive acoustic string music.
Champion Celtic violinist Jamie Laval and mandolin champion Ashley Broder form a
stunning instrumental duo rendering traditional Irish, Scottish, and Bluegrass
music with hints of classical refinement and ethnic music from around the world.
Their Story
The partnership began in a jam session in the wee-hours of the morning at
the National Old Time Fiddle contest in Weiser, Idaho. Jamie and Ashley
connected instantly on both musical and personal levels and have since fuelled
each other’s creativity in a non-stop musical exploration. Prior to their
meeting, Jamie simultaneously pursued careers as a revered solo fiddler and a
professional symphony violinist. Subsequent to his winning the U.S. National
Scottish Fiddle Championship in 2002, he devoted himself entirely to touring
throughout the States and Scotland and appeared regularly on NPR radio, concert
series, and large festival stages.
Meanwhile, Ashley had competed regularly in fiddle contests, ultimately winning
the Western Open Picking Championship in 2003 and 2004. She went on to
collaborate with world renowned mandolinist Mike Marshal on his method books,
taught at the Mandolin Symposium in California, and played in a number of LA
area bands while studying classical violin and ’cello in college.
Accolades
The San Diego Tribune recently featured the new duo in a full-page
spread, calling Ashley a “mandolin phenomenon.” Mike Marshal admiringly refers
to Ashley as “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.” Following his 28-concert tour of Scotland, Jamie was heralded as “A
new star for the Old World” (FiddleOn Magazine) and “The next Alasdair Fraser”
(Scotland Press and Post). In the U.S., Jamie is said to be “One of North
America’s finest practitioners of traditional Scottish music” (San Jose Mercury
News) and “A fantastic fiddler…Laval captures the essence of Celtic sentiment
and yearning” (Olympian Weekender).
Audience Appeal
The pair consistently creates rapt audiences every time they take the
stage, mixing intense passion and tenderness with a coyness and playful
interaction that has become their trademark. Their popularity earns them
invitations to venues such as The Freight & Salvage (Berkeley, CA); Club Passim
(Cambridge, MA); Don Quixote’s (Santa Cruz, CA); Duke University (Durham, NC);
California Traditional Music Society’s Solstice Festival (Los Angeles, CA);
Sutter Creek Theatre (Sacramento, CA); Blackstone River Theatre (Providence,
RI); Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle, WA); The Hollywood Theatre (Portland,
OR); Arts West Theatre (Seattle, WA); Swallow Hill Productions (Denver, CO);
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (Boone, NC); and many others throughout the
U.S. and Scotland.
Call 865-983-3330 or click Tickets for more info
The Palace Theater is conveniently located in Downtown Maryville just 17 miles south of Knoxville, TN.
South from Knoxville: Travel 129 South past the airport. Take the right fork and turn left at the first light.
Pass 4 or 5 lights and Take the first right onto Broadway.
The Palace is will be on the right.
Plenty of Free Parking in the city municipal lot.
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