Irving Ashby

Irving Conrad Ashby (December 29, 1920 – April 22, 1987) was an African-American jazz guitarist.

Ashby was born in Somerville, Massachusetts and started playing guitar when he was nine. His career started in 1940 when he became a member of Lionel Hampton's band, and he played on Hampton's hit "Flying Home". In 1947, he took over for Oscar Moore in the Nat King Cole Trio.

He then briefly replaced Charlie Smith, a drummer, in the Oscar Peterson Trio, producing a line-up (piano, guitar, bass) similar to the Cole Trio's; the substitution of a guitarist for a drummer continued until 1958. After leaving the Peterson Trio, Ashby concentrated on session work, which included recording with Norman Granz, Sheb Wooley, LaVern Baker, Howard Roberts, B.B. King, Louis Jordan, and Pat Boone. In addition to guitar, Ashby played the upright bass. Ashby died in April 1987 in Perris, California, at the age of 66.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 29, 1920 (Somerville), Died April 22, 1987 (Perris)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1940 - 1942

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor PBS-055230 10-in. 12/19/1940 Altitude Lionel Hampton Sextet Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor PBS-055236 10-in. 12/20/1940 Smart aleck Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Decca 70100 10-in. 12/24/1941 Just for you Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70101 10-in. 12/24/1941 Southern echoes Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70102 10-in. 12/24/1941 My wish Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70103 10-in. 12/24/1941 Nola Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70416 10-in. 3/2/1942 Royal family Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70417 10-in. 3/2/1942 I can't believe that you're in love with me Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70418 10-in. 3/2/1942 Blues in the news Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70419 10-in. 3/2/1942 Exactly like you Lionel Hampton Sextet instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70771 10-in. 5/26/1942 Now I know Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70772 10-in. 5/26/1942 Half a love is better than none Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70773 10-in. 5/26/1942 Flying home Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 70774 10-in. 5/26/1942 In the bag Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Ashby, Irving," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106396.

Ashby, Irving. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106396.

"Ashby, Irving." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106396

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