Byron Asher is a multi-instrumentalist and composer in New Orleans.
Raised in Maryland, he has performed across Europe and the US. Festivals include the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, Jazz a Vienne, France, and the Karlovy Vary Jazz Festival, Czech Republic. He has also played shows and festivals in Germany, Poland, and Slovakia and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
As a composer, Byron was an artist in residence at A Studio In The Woods (New Orleans) and was commissioned by the Marigny Opera Ballet (New Orleans). His work has been funded by the Jazz And Heritage Foundation (New Orleans) and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (NYC). Additionally, his compositions have accompanied theatre and film, including an original chamber score for the 1928 dadaist film "Ghosts Before Breakfast" (Hans Richter) and a new score for clarinet, accordion and voice for the 1937 Marxist children's musical "Revolt of The Beavers" (Saul/Lantz).
Byron holds an M.M. in jazz studies from the University of New Orleans and can be seen regularly performing in New Orleans. He is one-third of Nutria, a trio dedicated to original instrumental music, named in honor of the swamp rat, and leads ensembles large and small.
Photo credits:
Aubrey Edwards, aubreyedwards.com
Sabree Hill, sabreehillphotography.com