Victor "Vic" Ash was an English jazz saxophonist and clarinettist.
11 Facts About Vic Ash
1.
2.
Vic Ash began learning clarinet at the age of 14, then switched to saxes.
3.
Vic Ash led his own group and was a favourite in the Melody Maker fan polls of the 1950s; concurrently he had a radio program called Sunday Break, which discussed jazz and religion.
4.
In 1954, the Vic Ash Quartet recorded with US singer Maxine Sullivan in London.
5.
Vic Ash toured the US in 1957 and returned to play with Lewis in 1959.
6.
Vic Ash's ensemble was the only one representing British jazz at the Newport Jazz Festival that year.
7.
Vic Ash remained a mainstay of the British jazz scene for decades, playing in small and large ensembles including the BBC Big Band and Harry Stoneham's Band.
8.
Vic Ash accompanied Frank Sinatra on tours in Europe and the Middle East from 1970 until Sinatra's death, and accompanied Peggy Lee, Lena Horne and Tony Bennett.
9.
Vic Ash released many albums for Pye, Nixa and MGM, mostly in the mainstream jazz tradition.
10.
Vic Ash's co-authored autobiography I Blew It My Way was published in 2006.
11.
Vic Ash was survived by his wife, Helen, who he married in 1982.