Marvin Ash and The Dixie Blue Blowers • New Orleans At Midnight [1956] Decca Records DL 8346

 

Marvin Ash was a superior string/stride player who brought his own sound and enthusiasm to prebop jazz. Ash grew up in Kansas City and played in local bands including those of Wallie Stoeffer, Connie Conrad, Herman Waldman, and Jack Crawford. After a period of living in Tulsa (1936-42) and working on the radio, he moved permanently to Los Angeles in 1942. Ash spent some time working with Wingy Manone and occasionally appeared with all-star bands but spent most of his career playing in small combos. Influenced by such pianists as James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, and Joe Sullivan, Ash may have only been three years older than Dizzy Gillespie but he certainly belonged to an earlier musical generation. Since he was based in Los Angeles, Ash did extensive work in the studios and worked for the Walt Disney music department. He had opportunities to play with Jack Teagarden, Matty Matlock, and Pete Daily.

Marvin Ash recorded as a leader for Mirror (1946-47), Jump, Capitol, Jazz Man, and finally for Decca in 1956. In later years he played piano at a small bar located in a bowling alley, happily performing prewar classics.  [AllMusic]

Tracklist:

01 New Orleans

02 Blue, Turning Grey Over You

03 (What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue?

04 Basin Street Blues

05 Search-Light Rag

06 Cajon Lament

07 'Way Down Yonder In New Orleans

08 Bayou Lullaby

09 I Would Do Anything For You

10 Tishomingo Blues

11 Du A Ferdinand

12 Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

Piano • Marvin Ash

Bass • Ray Leatherwood

Clarinet • Matty Matlock

Drums • Alvin Stoller, Nick Fatool

Guitar • George Van Eps