Birthday Weekend!

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I had an amazing birthday weekend playing music with PitchBlak and seeing friends and family. We did a masterclass at Loyalsock Township High School with its middle and high school jazz bands and vocal chamber choir. In the evening, we performed music alongside each group. Here I am with the two drummers from the middle school band, DeSean (looking thrilled!) and Corrine: 

After spending the night at my amazing sister's house in Urbana, MD,  we headed to Berkeley Spring, WV to play at Sleep Creek's Spring Dig festival. Just an hour from my hometown, my mom, dad, sister, and nephew were able to come to the show. It was my nephew William's first time hearing us play; I was nervous! We busted out his favorite song, Uptown Funk, and he loved it! Here I am ready to camp for the night:

Woke up the next day and I was suddenly 30! Drove up to Pittsburgh to play at Pittonkatonk to an EXTREMELY hype crowd. This was one of my favorite shows I've played in awhile! 

Last night was bananas @pitchblakbrass

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We got back to our host's house (shout out to Tim Wolfson who is one of the best people on the entire planet) and was surprised with a birthday cake! Thanks to everyone who made my birthday weekend one to remember!

Happy birthday @ay_bear :)

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On the Road: Winchester, VA

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Thanks for the pic, sis! 

PitchBlak played in historic Winchester, VA this weekend. It's just over an hour from where I grew up. My mom, sister, aunt, uncle and their son (who is also a drummer!) came to the show. The Bright Box Theater is a beautiful place to play! The hospitality was amazing, as was the sound engineer, David.

The first music camp I ever went to was at Shenandoah University in Winchester when I was in 8th grade. I still remember many of the pieces we played, including La Fiesta Mexicana, in which I learned how to play 2:3! 

The PitchBlak Playlist: EIFFELLIFE

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The second PitchBlak Playlist (our Harlem residency at the Shrine) occurred last night. I did all the arrangements for the featured artist, EIFFELLIFE. Check out some clips: 

Last night's PitchBlak Playlist was off the hook! AshleyBaier.com/music for the full video.

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Run It. #EIFFELLIFE

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Full vid:

Live from the Shrine in Harlem, 2/17/15. Eiffellife's Freddy Krugga arranged for PitchBlak by me.

Weekend Getaway

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A Picture at Nectar's

PitchBlak traveled to two of my favorite towns this weekend - Portsmouth, NH and Burlington, VT. A bunch of us had t-shirts made in Portsmouth. I designed a Phish "lot shirt" based on a song from their Chilling, Thrilling Sounds from the Haunted House set this past Halloween. Here I am at Nectar's (where Phish got its start) with the shirt and a picture of the band from one of their shows at Randall's Island last summer (yes, I was there. So was 3/5 of PitchBlak!).

At Nectar's we opened for Tauk, an incredible band with one nasty drummer! Their sound engineer, Devin, took this picture of me during our set. Devin is actually roommates in Cleveland with my friend Kirk who I went to Maryland with! Small World.