Ashley Jones’ violin has been described as charismatic, passionate and versatile, while expressing an exquisite tone. Her her profound love for such diverse, musical forms as Classical, Salsa, Flamenco, Jazz and traditional West African rhythms have shaped her unique sound and artistic approach. Ashley is a practicing and performing Flamenca, Salsera and traditional Guinea dancer. She has been strongly influenced by Jazz greats such as Stephane Grappelli, Jean-Luc Ponty and fiddlers Eileen Ivers, Willie Royal and Alfredo De La Fe. Jones’ deeply rooted passion for fusing and celebrating cultural music forms has led her to perform and record with musicians from around the world.
British-born Jones began her career in 1998 performing with folk musicians Hugh Blumenfeld (former Connecticut State Troubadour) and Maria Sangiolo at local venues in her resident eastern Connecticut. In 2000 Ashley joined premier Flamenco fusion group The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble, performing at select venues such as the Wadsworth Atheneum, University of Connecticut, First Night Hartford and the historic Little Theatre in New Haven. Ashley debuted as a recording artist with the ensemble on their album ‘Por mi Camino’ in Feb 2001, which hit number two on the Latin IUMA charts, number five on the world music charts and was subsequently featured in a PBS documentary “Nuyoricans”.
In 2001, she also joined Fotoba, a traditional West African (Guinean) drum and dance company under the artistic direction of Abdoulaye Sylla. Ashley toured with the company (which included master National Ballet artists such as Alisco Diabate, Abou Sylla & Yamoussa Camara) dancing, singing, drumming and playing her violin. In 2002, Jones formed acoustic jazz trio “2 for 5” performing in eastern Connecticut and recording at University of Connecticut’s WHUS Radio. The Connecticut winters of 2001 and 2002 landed her in Key West, Florida where she performed at The Ocean Key Resort Hotel and tourist hotspot Mallory Square with resident singer Raven Cooper.
Ashley is currently performing in New England with local and international acts and solo, as a member of Conjunto Barrio, The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble & The Poet’s Lounge Band and is producing her own album.
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES
Atomic Gypsy
Ashley Jones and James Harris join forces in this high energy and versatile [...]
Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble
The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble is one of the best Flamenco fusion groups [...]
Cuadro Latino
Bringing you the best in Salsa, Bolero and Tropical with top name international [...]
