Talent

Jamie Laval and Ashley Broder

ONE OF THE premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene today, Jamie Laval consistently creates rapt audiences with his intensely passionate performances that run the gamut from tender and melancholy to wildly jubilant.

Winner of the 2002 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship, Jamie was recently heralded in Scotland as “A new star for the Old World” (FiddleOn Magazine). The Olympian newspaper reported, “A fantastic fiddler… Laval captures the essence of Celtic sentiment and yearning.” And Virginia concert promoter Deborah Greer raved, “I’ve been producing shows here for 10 years and I have never seen a standing ovation after the first tune. Unbelievable! I have never seen a better band on this stage.”

Major performances include Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina, Swallow Hill Productions in Colorado, The Yachats Celtic Festival in Oregon, the Freight & Salvage in California, the "Blue Plate" radio show on WDVX 89.9-fm in Knoxville, TN, the Northwest Folklife Festival’s Fiddler Showcase in Washington, the Scots Fiddle Festival in Scotland, and a private appearance for Her Majesty the Queen of England.

In the recording arena Jamie is widely respected for his solos on the movie soundtracks Wild America, Finding Home, Emmy-nominated theme for the TV drama Everwood, and for his participation in Dave Matthews CD Some Devil.

Ashley hails from Camarillo, CA and is a two-time winner of the Western Open Master Picker Championship. There is an effortlessness about Ashley’s playing. Whether it be a virtuoso mandolin solo break, a languorous 'cello line, a fancifully crafted original composition, or a clear-toned tune from her fiddle, her music spins out like a sinuous ribbon of pure fun. Ashley routinely forays into blues, jazz, bluegrass, Old-time, Irish, classical, and Brazilian music. She has been an instructor at the Mandolin Symposium and in 2004 collaborated with world-reknown Mike Marshall in the creation of his Mandolin Method books.  

The Burning Gods

aka The Rocket Boys with Stuart Kenney

Tom Burning God of Iron Troszak: guitar, asheko drum (Rocket Boys, String Beings)

Stuart Burning God of Thunder Kenney: bass (Wild Asparagus, The Sevens)

Rex Burning God of Music McGee: fiddle (Footloose, Rocket Boys)

TJ Burning God of Love Johnson: mandolin, fiddle (Rocket Boys, Lift Ticket)