How Dorothy Ashby inspired me to find my own voice

I was asked to write some words about Dorothy Ashby, and her influence on me, re our forthcoming gig this Sunday 4th June @ Total Refreshment Centre “For me, there has been no other harp player like Dorothy Ashby who has shown the versatility and potential of the harp, and turned heads! I still find it interesting however when you mention her name, how many people holler a resounding YES!, whilst many others look blankly who's Dorothy?! In my opinion, Dorothy plays the harp l

Special Show 4th June @Total Refreshment Centre, London

https://tickets.partyforthepeople.org/events/3188-tori-handsley-trio-plays-the-music-of-dorothy-ashby We will be doing a very special TORI HANDSLEY TRIO gig on the 4th June at the Total Refreshment Centre. The 1st Set will pay tribute to the great DOROTHY ASHBY - RENOWNED HARPIST of the 60s and 70s - and my core inspiration for what I do. The 2nd Set will feature original compositions, as a taster before our release of our album. Featuring: Tori Handsley -harp Ru

"A great musician!" Cerys Matthews BBC Radio6Music

"Relentless" CLASH

"A really beautiful debut album." Gilles Peterson

"A major force on the UK scene...The music itself is the message. On 'Polar Retreat,' you literally hear fragile polar ice caps melting." Downbeat USA

"Tori Handsley emerges as a leader" The Guardian

"Gutsy" Debra Richards

"Handsley has forged a reputation for fearless music making"Jazzwise

"So irreverant and intense, yet with a punk sense of humour!" Ric Moore Bandcamp

"A great album, an unexpected beauty in this distopic world.

Best wishes from Brazil."

Pedro Marques Cancello

"I am blown away... because every track is so unique and reflects your depth, your passion for life and people... and of course your passion to communicate these attributes through your music, composing and performing.

Favourite track? Well I danced to Rivers of Mind and What's in a Tune. But I loved them all."

Pauline Kirtley

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"This is the first Jazz recording I have ever purchased and it might be the last (maybe). This artist has opened my eyes to this genre. The musicianship on display from the drums to the bass ,keys and the vocals on a few tracks, oh yeah and the harp are all outstanding This recording really rocks. A pleasure to add to my collection just to change things up." Favourite track: Rivers of Mind

Lloyd

"I am blown away... because every track is so unique and reflects your depth, your passion for life and people... and of course your passion to communicate these attributes.

Favourite track? Well I danced to Rivers of Mind and What's in a Tune. But I loved them all."

Pauline Kirtley

"This recording really rocks.

A pleasure to add to my collection just to change things up." Favourite track: Rivers of Mind

Lloyd

"To quote the Pythons, "and now for something completely different"...

I can hear rock, I can hear prog, and I can float among the many moods, textures and colours flowing - sometimes calmly, sometimes frantically - song after song. I don't know what kind of jazz fills this wonderful album, but I know that I love it. Favourite track: What's In A Tune.."

Muschiosauro

Photo by Steven Cropper http://www.transientlife.uk/

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"A great musician!" Cerys Matthews BBC Radio6Music

"Relentless" CLASH

"A really beautiful debut album... a bit of a Chick Corea feeling" Gilles Peterson

"A major force on the UK scene" Downbeat USA

"Tori Handsley emerges as a leader"
The Guardian

"Gutsy" Debra Richards

"Handsley has forged a reputation for fearless music making"
Jazzwise

"So irreverant and intense, yet with a punk sense of humour!"
Ric Moore Bandcamp