An excellent
Ben Webster-inspired tenor saxophonist,
Harold Ashby fit right in during his period with
Duke Ellington. He had played in Kansas City (starting in 1946) and, in the early '50s, in Chicago. While most of his previous work was in R&B and blues bands, he was always a fine swing-based improviser. In 1957,
Ashby moved to New York, met
Ben Webster, and through the elder tenor was introduced to
Duke Ellington. During the next decade he was on the periphery of
Duke's world, playing with
Mercer Ellington's short-lived band, recording with
Ellington stars, and appearing in
Duke's My People show.
Ashby was more than ready when he joined
Ellington in 1968, and he was a major asset to the band up until the leader's death.
Ashby continued with
Mercer Ellington into 1975, gigged with
Benny Goodman and
Sy Oliver, and performed often in Europe and led occasional record dates, including 1991's
What Am I Here For? and 1999's Just For You, thus keeping the
Ellington swing tenor legacy alive. After suffering a heart attack in May of 2003,
Harold Ashby was hospitalized in his adopted home of New York. He passed away June 13, 2003 at the age of 78. ~ Scott Yanow