A composer and cellist who's honed a singular synthesis of composition, orchestration and improvisation, while heavily involved for decades with Washington D.C.'s vibrant new music, jazz, rock and improvised music scenes Janel Leppin steps forward as a bandleader once more with the second, even stronger, release by her acclaimed Ensemble Volcanic Ash.

The six-piece group melds an illustrious array of D.C. talent into a glimmering expressive organism that surges, expands, ebbs and dances in multiple directions at once and features musicians from noted, forward-thinking ensembles such as Irreversible Entanglements, The Messthetics, Priests, Silt Trio, Kyp Malone, Marissa Nadler and more!

Ensemble Volcanic Ash exquisitely captures... melody, harmony, and noise at a furious clip. They both tug at the heartstrings and bust ears... with near-effortless command... " - Brad Cohan / JazzTimes