Opportunity Overload

Pardon me while I catch my breath! December is always a busy month for musicians, but this year was one of the most jam-packed I've had in a while. I've labeled it "Opportunity Overload."

Have you ever experienced that?

When lots of things/projects/events you've been working on for a while all seem to come together around the same time? Mix that in with the normal holiday season festivities and it can be exhilarating...yet exhausting.

This is why I'm purposely taking things slowly here in the first quarter of 2024.

A handful of selective gigs, lots of quality time with family, and prioritizing some exciting new (and comfort-zone-busting) personal adventures for this year--one of them being that I'm finally learning how to cook (as a Louisianian, my inability to whip up a tasty meal for friends or family has always felt like big hole in my cultural skills, so here's to finally learning to enjoy the simple basics!).

But before I dive 100% into 2024, here's a little recap of December:
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Thank you to everyone who came to the "Home for the Holidays Concert"--my solo debut with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra! What a dream come true to make beautiful music with so many talented musicians and an entire string section! A couple weeks later I also got to cantor for wedding with some of the symphony string players, so I look forward to playing with them more regularly at special events.

Then I headed to Lafayette to pre-record a live Christmas set with Dr. Daylight's Jazz Company. These songs aired in Acadiana on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Finally, I hit the road for one last Texas trip in 2023. Below is a video of one of my favorite songs--the closing "White Christmas" sing-along for Joe Burlison's Christmas Jazz Show at the Dosey Doe Big Barn.

I hope your Christmas season was a lovely one and look forward to seeing you in 2024!
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With heart-filled gratitude,

Ashley