Ash Jangda is a jazz guitarist and teacher based in Los Angeles. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and has lived in Los Angeles for six years as of a 2020 Strymon interview1. He teaches privately, in group lessons, at music camps and clinics, and on his YouTube channel1.
His pedalboard
Jangda's signal chain, as he described it to Strymon in 2020, runs in this order1:
- TC Electronic PolyTune (mini), a tuner
- Dunlop CryBaby (mini), a wah
- Pigtronix Class A boost, a boost
- JHS Mini Foot Fuzz, a fuzz
- Xotic SL Drive, an overdrive
- Xotic Soul Driven, an overdrive
- Strymon El Capistan, a delay
- Strymon BlueSky, a reverb
- Electro-Harmonix Freeze
- BBE Sonic Stomp, an EQ
The board covers tuning, filtering, gain staging with a boost, a fuzz and two drives, then time-based effects, with a sustain pedal and a tone-shaping EQ at the end of the chain.
Guitars and amp
Jangda plays four main guitars, each covering a different body style, all run through the same amp1:
| Guitar | Style |
|---|---|
| G&L Comanche | Strat style |
| D'Angelico EXDC | 335 style |
| Reverend Charger 290 | Tele style |
| PRS Standard | Les Paul style |
The amp is a Quilter Micro Pro Mach 21.
Who he plays with
Since moving to Los Angeles, Jangda has worked with Willow Smith, Bobby Brown, Sam Sparro, Tom Browne, Dave Koz, Mike Phillips, Jessy J, Deitrick Haddon and the Winans Brothers, spanning R&B, jazz and gospel1. He has also played with Wyclef Jean and Arturo Sandoval1, and was seen playing with Josiah Bell in Los Angeles1. At the time of the Strymon interview he was working with Ollie Gabriel on a guitar-driven show and residency in LA, and was scheduled to perform with Kirby of Roc Nation in March1.
"Currently, I am working with artist Ollie Gabriel on a very exciting show/residency at a high profile venue in LA but its all kinda hush hush until we debut it, so all I can say for the time being is I am thrilled to be a part of a guitar driven show with such amazing talent."
Background and teaching
Jangda studied jazz at Florida International University, earning a Jazz Performance degree. Of his path after school he said:
"After escaping Florida International University, with a Jazz Performance degree, I decided to chase my dreams of moving to New York and making my mark on the jazz world."
He landed in Los Angeles instead, where he teaches privately, in group lessons, at music camps and clinics, and on his YouTube channel1. He also stopped by the Strymon booth at NAMM 2020 to play2.
Questions
What overdrives does Ash Jangda use?
His board carries two Xotic drives: the SL Drive and the Soul Driven. They sit after a Pigtronix Class A boost and a JHS Mini Foot Fuzz in his signal chain, and before his Strymon delay and reverb.
What fuzz pedal does Ash Jangda use?
He uses the JHS Mini Foot Fuzz. In his signal chain it comes after a Pigtronix Class A boost and before the Xotic SL Drive and Soul Driven overdrives.
What amp does Ash Jangda play through?
He plays through a Quilter Micro Pro Mach 2. He named it when describing the guitars he runs into it, including a G&L Comanche and a D'Angelico EXDC.
What guitars does Ash Jangda play?
He plays a G&L Comanche, a D'Angelico EXDC, a Reverend Charger 290 and a PRS Standard, which he describes as covering strat, 335, tele and Les Paul style instruments, all run through a Quilter Micro Pro Mach 2.
Who does Ash Jangda play with?
Since moving to Los Angeles he has worked with Willow Smith, Bobby Brown, Sam Sparro, Tom Browne, Dave Koz, Mike Phillips, Jessy J, Deitrick Haddon and the Winans Brothers, and he has also played with Wyclef Jean and Arturo Sandoval.
Where did Ash Jangda study music?
He earned a Jazz Performance degree from Florida International University in Miami. After graduating he planned a move to New York to pursue jazz, before eventually settling in Los Angeles.
Sources (2)
- Artist Feature: Ash Jangda, Strymon (www.strymon.net), 2020-02-26
- Strymon at NAMM 2020!, Strymon (www.strymon.net), 2020-01-21