If this evocative name looks familiar, that's because the acoustic trio has packed its calendar all year with gigs around the Valley. Just one of vocalist Ashley Godshall's many musical incarnations, Ash & Snow delivers an immense repertoire.
Originally from Souderton, Godshall has been a Bethlehem resident for almost a decade, and she likes it that way. “I love the Lehigh Valley,” she says. “There's music, art, all the culture of Philly or New York, but scaled down.”
Music has always been her journey, though she tried to resist. When her acceptance letter to law school arrived, she panicked. “I didn't know if I'd ever be able to make music again. All I want to do is sing.” She studied vocal performance instead and became a choir director. Since then her career has blossomed in myriad directions.
“I heard from a lot of people that to be successful in music, you need to find a niche, perfect it and stick to that,” Godshall says, but she didn't buy it. Trained in opera performance, her gospel choir work has led her to perform with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Andrea Bocelli; her jazz piano duo with CJ Steinway offers a sizzling Roaring-Twenties-to-Swinging-Forties vibe, and Ash & Snow regales the Valley with popular music from the last half century.
Whether as part of a choir or as an itty-bitty duo, Godshall's love of singing is a way to reach out to a roomful of people through the international language of music. “I love to connect on a level that's usually deeper than a small-talk conversation, even though you're not actually talking to the person.”
Ash & Snow can be found at countless wineries, breweries and restaurants throughout the area. Check online for updates!
