Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards

New Orleans Jazz for the Whole Family

Jazzy Ash invites the whole family 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. 

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, Jazzy Ash offers beginning ukulele workshops for teachers, librarians and students of all ages.

Ashli St. Armant is also 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."
 

"Jazzy Ash makes old songs joyous for new listeners while she acknowledges the creators of the work. Imagine a world where the music of your ancestors and the music of your descendants comes together and gets you dancing..."

ORDINARY FOLKS
A Juke Joint Cabaret of Black Folklore

This wildly imaginative and interactive theatrical production is set in a swinging juke joint in New Orleans. Trapped by the approaching hurricane, band leader Honey Biscuits (Ashli St. Armant) leads the talented company through a jazzy set list of Black folklore that has been passed down for generations. Ashli St. Armant’s newest project is inspired by her deep research into cultural anthologies, interviews with elders and modern-day music-makers in New Orleans. Commissioned by Chandler Center for the Arts & UC San Diego w/ additional support from NPN Creation Fund

FOLKSHOPS

Vocalist, playwright and national bestselling author Ashli St. Armant teams up with professor and choreographer Monik Jones to present a colorful menu of workshops and residency activities exploring folk music, storytelling, dance, and theater from a BIPOC lens.

This dynamic duo of teaching artists brings professional development, arts education, DEI training and community engagement opportunities to students (preschool through undergraduate), educators, librarians, arts professionals and community members through an expansive variety of unique, interactive workshops.

Cool Mom Picks Pick of the Year 2015

Cool Mom Picks Pick of the Year 2015

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"Heebie Jeebies" #1 hit, SiriusXM Kids Place Live

"Heebie Jeebies" #1 hit, SiriusXM Kids Place Live

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