Concert in the Gallery: Long Story Short

Long Story Short is carving out their own sound within the chamber folk genre. Renowned instrumentalists Ashley Hoyer, Ben Schreiber, and Aria DiSalvio join forces to perform Hoyer's originals and some traditional fiddle favorites. Mandolin, electric mandolin, fiddle, and cello weave melodies, textures, and harmonies to create a sound that has been described as cinematic and transportive. Hailed as a 'mandolin phenomenon' by the San Diego Tribune, Ashley's compositions are the main staple of the trio. She crafts melodies and haunting harmonies that distinguish her works easily from the norm. Her other projects include reputable folk dance band, The Syncopaths, Sam 'n Ash, an accordion/mandolin duo featured on the podcast Welcome to Night Vale, as well as a classical/folk crossover trio Fire and Grace and Ash. Ben Schreiber brings his driving energy and lyrical fiddling to the ensemble. A native of St. Louis, he travels across the country as an in-demand dance fiddler with his popular duo, Uncle Farmer. Cellist Aria DiSalvio brings her soulful, rich tone and refined technique to a wide variety of musical settings. Whether performing with the Santa Cruz Symphony or contemporary folk bands; or in the recording studio with artists such as Irish singer Éilís Kennedy or jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Aria's passion for and expertise in diverse styles of music shines through. A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Aria is currently on faculty at Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp and lives with her husband, two children, dog and chickens in the mountains above Santa Cruz, California.

Although this trio is new on the scene, individually these musicians are at the top of their game and eager to create a reputation for the ensemble. Collectively, they have performed for many distinguished organizations: The Carmel Bach Festival, KVMR Celtic Festival, The Monterey Jazz Festival, Millpond Festival, LEAF Festival, Wintergrass Festival, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Freight and Salvage, Bijou Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Swallow Hill, The Station Inn, Northwest Folklife Festival, and many others.