MUSIC & PERFORMANCES
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Ashley Orlando’s voice immediately evokes a more glamorous era.
Whether she’s backed by a big band, trio or quartet—or her trademark ukulele—Ashley's tight phrasing and pitch-perfect melodies transport audiences to a time when the standards flowed live into homes from the big-city studios and grand hotels. Her haunting renditions of jazz and popular classics do honor to the originals and bring a fresh perspective to the great American songbook. "I've had the honor of performing with Ashley dozens of times. Each time she enters the stage she raises the energy level of the entire performance. Ashley elevates the level of sophistication to a group of musicians with the addition of her artful contribution. Her talent, musicianship, range and control of her instrument (voice), and her preparedness all come together at once to give her audiences goosebumps. She's a real pro." |
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SOLO/DUO: Ashley performs regularly in duo formats with talented jazz pianists and her jazz ukulele partner. In February 2021 she was one of 5 female ukulele artists featured on the renowned virtual "Moonlight Mele" concert series airing from the Hawaii Theater in Honolulu. In May 2020 Ashley was a featured among an international line-up of ukulele musicians, (including the world-renowned James Hill and a surprise performance by Jake Shimabukuro) during Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel's Not-So-Mini Online Ukulele Festival #2.
During a 5-year stint in Houston, TX, Ashley was the lead singer of Vintage Point, a vintage variety band that played jazz, blues, Texas swing, French chanson and classic country songs with an international twist. In early 2022, she was featured in VoyageHouston Magazine, and after returning to Louisiana in June 2022, Ashley now regularly sits in with some of the best jazz musicians in New Orleans, the Northshore, Baton Rouge, and throughout Southeast Louisiana. HOUKULELE: As a co-leader of Houkulele, Houston's Ukulele Club, which boasts 800+ members throughout Houston, Ashley hosted meet-ups and directed Houkulele's community performance group. In 2019 Ashley led Houkulele in a partnership with Texas Children's Hospital to organize the "100 Ukuleles for 100 Kids Benefit Concert" at Anderson Fair Listening Room. This concert raised $11,000+ for the Ukulele Kids Club, which partners with music therapy programs to give the gift of music to hospitalized kids. WORKSHOPS: Ashley loves helping others achieve their own musical goals & hosts online workshops on a variety of topics (ex. performance skills, virtual collaborations, harmony and scatting). Recent virtual workshops have been for the 2020 and 2021 & 2022 Gaithersburg UkeFests as well as the Ukulele Kids Club Academy. LITURGICAL MINISTRY: Ashley has served for 15+ years as a requested cantor for weddings, funerals and churches in Louisiana and Texas. "Ashley has a warm, relaxed style that disarms everyone in the house! As a composer, when I write for voice, I hear Ashley's." "Ashley's [Disney ukulele] class helped me up my game, got me thinking more creatively, and jump-started me into using uke more often. I played [one of the workshop songs] during our Interdisciplinary Group meeting and got some great feedback. Thanks so much for sharing your ukulele tips!" |
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WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING...
"Ashley Orlando is a breath of fresh air and a rising star of jazz vocalists. With a crystal clear soprano voice and impeccable intonation, she swings hard. She has a bright, cheery presentation and somehow made the ukulele a hip jazz accompaniment instrument. Her song selections of jazz standards and other familiar songs lifted her audience, leaving us all much better for experiecing and loving her performance."
- John Autin, New Orleans jazz pianist and Rabadash Studios owner
- John Autin, New Orleans jazz pianist and Rabadash Studios owner
"The kids haven't attempted to play this ukulele in years. Thanks to Ashley for the inspiration! We loved hearing her perform at Dosey Doe and it was a pleasure meeting her after the concert!"
- Emily R. - Houston, TX
- Emily R. - Houston, TX
"We hired Ashley to sing at our Valentine's Day Dinner and she was absolutely amazing! Her voice is mesmerizing. She was very engaging with the audience, and we all felt the love after her performance. Can't wait to have her back!"
- MB Faucheux, MJ's Cafe Owner - Baton Rouge, LA
- MB Faucheux, MJ's Cafe Owner - Baton Rouge, LA
“Ashley Orlando shared her heart with us as she sang, offering an intimate glimpse of the depths of her range. Her voice seemed to float as smoothly as the wind through an oak tree’s moss. Visual art is music for the eyes, yet Ashley Orlando’s music is art for the soul. What a delightful listening experience!”
- Kim Zabbia, Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center - Ponchatoula, LA
- Kim Zabbia, Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center - Ponchatoula, LA
"We had the pleasure of having Ashley Orlando provide music for our Galentine's Day event at our shop, Bramble & Bee! She was absolutely lovely to work with! Her music and vocal style is heart-warming and unique and the perfect backdrop for a casual event. We highly recommend her and give her 10/10 without a doubt! We definitely plan on using her for our future events!"
- Skye McLain - Tomball, TX
- Skye McLain - Tomball, TX
"Ashley, along with her jazz guitar accompanist, Brian Breen, hit the perfect notes for the 2023 Annual Dinner & Meeting of the Friends of French Studies at LSU last week. Her voice, sometimes warm and rich while at other times playful and saucy, displayed a mastery of the intonations, rhythms, and language of the iconic French chanson style that was exactly the vibe we wanted for this event. Brava and merci, Ashley!
- Sandra Hubbard, President - Friends of French Studies at LSU, Baton Rouge, LA
- Sandra Hubbard, President - Friends of French Studies at LSU, Baton Rouge, LA
"[Ashley's] angelic voice and selection of jazz and easy listening music put everyone at ease and encouraged the group's involvement. She has a beautiful voice and a beautiful spirit that is warm, delightful, and entertaining. We would love to have Ashley return to entertain us again."
- Teri Rossi, The Woodlands, TX
- Teri Rossi, The Woodlands, TX
“We were so pleased to have Ashley sing at Katie and Derek’s wedding. Her voice is warm and clear, and very beautiful. Her gifts brought still more beauty and reverence to an already perfect evening.”
- Yvonne Fletcher, Baton Rouge, LA
- Yvonne Fletcher, Baton Rouge, LA
“My husband and I have been listening to Ashley sing at our church for several years, so when it came time to choose a cantor for our wedding, it was no contest. When I hear her sing I am reminded that angels are all around us; her voice is honest, strong and pure. She flows effortlessly from note to note and leaves nothing to be desired.”
- Rebecca Shelden, Baton Rouge, LA
- Rebecca Shelden, Baton Rouge, LA
“We had Ashley perform for our Annual Deacons Banquet last night. She did a fantastic job. She was delightful and engaged our congregation with her unique music style. We look forward to having her for future events.”
- Larkin Harris, First Baptist Church – Baton Rouge
- Larkin Harris, First Baptist Church – Baton Rouge
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