<![CDATA[Ashley Orlando | Vocalist, Ukulele Artist & Joyologist - Blog]]>Sat, 30 May 2026 22:54:22 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[A Solo Sport]]>Sat, 30 May 2026 20:48:13 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/a-solo-sport​Sometimes I love being able to accompany myself. Other times I wonder if it holds me back.

When I get booked for jazz gigs, it is MOSTLY as a solo artist. Why?

Because when I play solo, I can squeeze into almost any tiny space--the corner of a restaurant, a downtown sidewalk, into another band as a vocalist, etc.

I can fit more budgets.

And I only have 1 schedule to check! Just kidding, I actually have about 4 schedules to check because there's also Ethan's busy toddler schedule (summer swim lessons!!!), my husband's schedule, and the schedule of whoever will need to watch the babe if he can't).

As a solo artist, it is definitely convenient to have only 1 main creative opinion to appease and 1 set list to pull from.

That can make things easy in many ways.

On the flip side, I often find it more musically stimulating to play with another artist (or several) who can do things that I can't; who knows new songs it might be cool to try; who can add in their own sonic ideas to the mix and fill out the space in a different way.

Playing with others makes me listen more and creates a musical conversation that I don't always know the end to.

I love the excitement of wondering where a song will end up and following its lead :)

​That's why I love taking requests from the public when I do play by myself.

It's also why I enjoy playing for fun with community groups like St. Alban's Ukulele Orchestra.

1970s music isn't my forté, so until we started rehearsing, I had never heard about 65% of the music we did for our spring ukulele concert this month. But I can say that it all turned out pretty "groovy," and the audience LOVED IT, too.

Here's to many more musical adventures (solo and group-sized) to come!

With gratitude,

Ashley
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St. Alban's Ukulele Orchestra - "Music of the '70's" Spring Concert - May 2026
]]><![CDATA[Time Traveler's Whiplash]]>Wed, 13 May 2026 14:24:52 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/time-travelers-whiplashSaturday night was a beautiful dream.

The weather had been terrible all weekend with constant rain soaking all of southeast Louisiana, so I honestly did not expect a large crowd at "The Songs She Sings."

But y'all showed up in force, and it was incredible!
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The Manship staff even had to pull out a few more tables/chairs to accommodate everyone.

THANK YOU for your support!

We received lots of positive feedback about the song selections, stories, the musicianship and even the energy in the room.

The following comment in particular was one that touched me deeply:

"I am so so glad we did not let the gloomy weather keep us home...your show was phenomenal. You have a beautiful voice and a wonderful style of showmanship making us feel special and seen just by being in your audience."

That last line especially means so much to me.

Because it takes a lot of time and effort to craft not just a collection of songs but an immersive, musical experience that brings the audience on a journey. And anytime I curate a show of my own, THAT is always my goal.

I look forward to continuing to grow with you on this whimsical, warm, sometimes wacky but always worthwhile journey of creativity and self-expression.

Now this week is all about FUN and TIME TRAVELING because on Tuesday I performed a 1920s-focused traditional jazz set with the Florida Street Blowhards, and this Thursday at 6pm my uke and I will be getting groovy with "Music of the '70's" by the St. Alban's Ukulele Orchestra. (Please join us at St. Alban's Chapel on the LSU Campus if you're free!)

With gratitude,

Ashley

In case you missed it, here's an audience-perspective clip from "The Songs She Sings" Saturday night:
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]]><![CDATA[It's Showtime!]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:26:32 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/i-almost-didnt-put-this-show-togetherThe week of a big show is always a bit hectic with rehearsals, last-minute prep, promotional appearances, a new car battery and tires...(thankfully there isn't an exciting story to go along with that last one).

I also had the pleasure of playing through the full book (of songs) yesterday with half the band, and OMG, y'all! When rehearsal is FUN AND EASY, you know the show is gonna be good!

Come join us for an intimate night of jazz, folk, Broadway songs and more--all in celebration of the women who've had a positive impact on our lives.

The Songs She Sings: A Joyful Jazz Tribute to the Women Who Raised Us
  • Saturday, May 9th - 7:30pm
  • Manship Theatre's Hartley/Vey Studio

Get your tickets here.

I can't wait to see you there!

With gratitude,

Ashley

P.S. Here's a quick snippet of The Bare Necessities from our Passport to Paradise last fall!
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]]><![CDATA[Wish Me "Merde!"]]>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/wish-me-merdeWhether you speak French or not, you may have come across the French word "merde" in pop culture...

(It literally translates to a favorite four-letter swear word we Americans might also use to refer to doggie doodoo, but figuratively, the French say merde in a POSITIVE way to wish performers good luck before a show.)

"Why???" you may be wondering :)

One story I've heard is that, before cars, people would take carriages to the theater. And if lots of carriages showed up for a performance, it created traffic. This meant that the horses would eventually have to relieve themselves while waiting in front of the theater. So merde being tracked inside by attendees was a sign that attendance was great and the show was a success!

But why might you want to wish ME merde?

This Sunday I'll be performing two 45-minute solo sets ENTIRELY EN FRANCAIS this spring for Le Grand Pique-Nique 2026! (And by "entirely" I mean even everything I SING AND SAY at the microphone needs to be in French :)

It has been a few years since I've been immersed daily in speaking this beautiful language, but I am excited about the challenge!

So what's Le Grand Pique-Nique?

Le Grand Pique-Nique is an annual free festival hosted by Louisiana Parents for French Immersion that brings together French immersion students, their families, friends, and Francophone enthusiasts from all over the state to celebrate French language complete with Francophone activities, food, music, games, and competitions.

This will be its 31st year attracting students from all 25 French Immersion schools across Louisiana.
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If you speak French, too, or just enjoy supporting the French language in Louisiana and want to check it out, here are the details:
  • Le Grand Pique-Nique 2026
  • Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 10am to 2pm
  • West Baton Rouge Museum - Port Allen, LA
  • Click here for more information.

​With gratitude,
Ashley
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]]><![CDATA[New Show Announced!]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:19:52 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/new-show-announcedLooking for something special to do Mother’s Day weekend?

Join me for an intimate evening of music and storytelling at the Manship Theatre:

The Songs She Sings: A Joyful Jazz Tribute to the Women Who Raised Us

My band and I will bring to life beautiful classics made famous by iconic female vocalists, including Nina Simone (Feeling Good), Eva Cassidy (Over the Rainbow), and Norah Jones (Don't Know Why). We’ll weave songs together with personal stories as we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, mentors, and women whose love shapes our lives.

If you’re looking for a warm, nostalgic, and joyful experience to share with your mom, a friend, or someone you love, I’d be honored to have you there.

FEATURING:
  • Ashley Orlando - vocals/ukulele
  • Raudol Palacios - cello
  • Connor Underwood - keys
  • David Ellis - bass
  • John Jones - drums

WHEN: Saturday, May 9 - 7:30pm
WHERE: Hartley/Vey Studio at Manship Theatre - 235 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Get Your Tickets Today!
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]]><![CDATA[When You're Feeling Stuck]]>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:32:15 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/when-youre-feeling-stuckOver the past few months I've been quietly learning something new:

The art of songwriting.

And...it's going well! I'm leaning into the "lyricist" side of things and am grateful to have a very experienced teacher who knows how to explain this nebulous creative process in ways my brain can understand.

It feels both fulfilling and somewhat old-school to be reconnecting with the writing skills I honed way back in high school English class (that writing style was a bit more descriptive/flowery/artsy than the more precise/concise media writing style I had to switch to in college for my public relations degree).

But, as with any artform--especially a "new-to-you" one--sometimes creativity stalls. I found myself late for a homework deadline due to the dreaded "writer's block."

I emailed my teacher and asked if he had any words of wisdom.

Thankfully, he did:

"A lot of times you need to fool your adult and embrace your child. It doesn't matter if what you're writing is good or bad. Just do it. Make it fun. Bad is a good place to start."

As soon as I read those words, I smiled, knowing exactly what he meant.
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Because a couple days earlier, 30 minutes of boring chores to me--watering the plants--unexpectedly turned into 30 minutes of pure bliss for my son, Ethan, who decided to chase the hose, play in ALL the puddles, and have the time of his life just getting soaked while I worked.

I drew a line at letting him drink the mud, but he happily shrieked around the yard so much that he was completely wiped out by bedtime a couple hours later.
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"Fool your adult and embrace your child."

Ethan certainly fooled me that day into thinking a mundane (to me) chore could be fun.

May we each find a way to fool our adult and embrace our child this week.

With gratitude,

Ashley
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]]><![CDATA[Back to the Beginning]]>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:16:46 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/back-to-the-beginningOne perk of being a freelance musician is exploring different parts of Louisiana and the interesting architecture of the spaces where I am invited to play.

Friday night I received a last-minute request to cantor for a funeral at a church I hadn’t set foot in for more than 20 years.

The next morning, I bundled up for the frigid (but thankfully dry) weather and made the 45-minute drive to my hometown of Ponchatoula.

I grew up singing in this sacred space.
  • Cantored for Christmas Eve masses at the lectern.
  • Learned the Hallelujah Chorus with the choir in the loft.
  • Used the stairs (carpeted then) mostly as chairs because our family was almost always late to 8:30am mass…

The parish closed this building soon after I left for college and built a larger church nearby.

Since then, each time I passed the “old church” on visits home, I’d wonder what it looked like inside.

Yesterday, I finally got my answer.

It’s both strange and familiar to go back to your beginnings—for me, this was where I first learned to sing in public (you could barely hear me even WITH a microphone. lol).

It looks the same in many ways, though half the pews have been taken out.

The iconic pendant lights still hang from the ceiling.

Dark wooden beams still hold up the roof.

Mustard-colored light still filters through the yellow-tinted windows.

They recently re-opened it as a chapel, but it makes me laugh to think of this building as “quaint.”

It seemed so big when I was a kid.

The small town of Ponchatoula has grown a lot since then.

We all start at the beginning, but we don’t stay there.

Every once in a while, life brings us back—not to repeat the past, but to honor it and remind us how far we’ve come.

I still need a microphone to sing, but now with it, I CAN project my voice over the old organ!

With gratitude,

Ashley
]]><![CDATA[I Had NO Idea What You Were Capable Of...]]>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:18:55 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/i-had-no-idea-what-you-were-capable-of“I had NO idea what you were capable of!”

Have you ever underestimated someone?

Have you ever underestimated yourself?

The quote above came from a gentleman who talks to me each time I play at my local farmer’s market.

He always compliments my music and chats for a bit as I sit in a folding chair on the sidewalk, trying out new songs on my ukulele, saying hi to friends, taking requests, and getting kids to smile or wiggle as they pass by.

For me, the market is fun community time and a chance to experiment. It’s small portion of my schedule.

But from this gentleman’s perspective, it’s all he has seen me do.

So apparently he thought it was ALL I could do.

Until last month.

“My whole family went to the big band Christmas show you just did,” he said excitedly when he saw me this month at the market.

“I had NO IDEA what you were capable of. You looked so comfortable up there on stage. I’ve always enjoyed your voice, but you’re an entertainer, too! We were blown away.”

“Thank you!” I said, smiling, and letting my favorite part of his compliment sink in: “You looked so comfortable up there.” (I’ve worked my whole life to access that comfort.)

This isn’t the first, nor will it be the last time that someone has underestimated me. And I still battle my own “Selfus Doubtus” on a regular basis!

But it’s always a thrill to see the delight in someone’s face or voice when they realize that you are capable of so much more than they originally imagined.

So dream big, my friends!

May we all keep outgrowing the boxes people unknowingly place us in. And the ones we place on ourselves.
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]]><![CDATA[The Holiday Spirit]]>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:58:23 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/the-holiday-spiritI hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! Ours was low-key, tasty, and the just right amount of family time + fun (ex. Imagine a 16-month-old walking around the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in an adorable red baby dragon costume--wiggling yellow tail and all--picking up pine needles and sticks to his heart's content ;))

If you don't have plans yet for this weekend and would like some help getting in the holiday spirit, come swingin’ into the Christmas season with me Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7pm at the LSU Union Theater for Ned Fasullo & His Fabulous Big Band Orchestra’s “Holiday Sinatra,” a beloved big band concert featuring your favorite songs from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and more.

Get tickets here. I can't wait to see you again soon! (More details below)

With gratitude,
​
Ashley
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]]><![CDATA[Making Dreams Come True]]>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 02:18:03 GMThttps://www.ashleyorlando.com/blog/making-dreams-come-true"PASSPORT TO PARADISE" WAS A HIT!

I'm so grateful for all of you who came out Thursday night to support me and enjoy a true labor of love--my latest show, "Passport to Paradise"--at the Manship Theatre's Hartley/Vey Studio.

It was a magical evening (truly a "stars aligning" moment if you knew all the puzzle pieces that had to fit in place during the planning stages to bring it to life the way I envisioned--which, amazingly, is what came to be).

And the incredible feedback we have received all weekend is blowing me away:
  • "It was like a movie. Like we were in LaLa Land."
  • "You are a SERIOUS talent...your voice is amazing."
  • "That was so inspiring. It really touched me [said through happy tears]."
  • "It put me in such a good mood that lasted even when I woke up the next morning."

Thank you so much for coming along on this wild ride. Your encouragement and support means the world to me!

Click on the photo below to watch a behind-the-scenes video from the night.

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving,
​
Ashley
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