Moonlight and Stars by William Ash

As a member of the McDonald's Jazz Band he worked with drummer Greg Hutchinson, and the band often featured major players such as Dave Valentine, Randy Brecker, Steve Turre, etc. During this time he also played regularly with the legendary alto player Clarence C. Sharp with Ari Roland (bass) and Greg Hutchinson., and was the winner of the Young Talent Search of the National Association of Jazz Educators (NAJE). The William Ash Trio was the McDonald's combo Contest winner. He performed as a soloist with a big band at the Oakland Jazz Festival at the request of Buddy Montgomery, brother of the late Wes.

In subsequent years Ash had the opportunity to play with now deceased jazz greats Junior Cooke, Jack McDuff, John Patton, Bill Doggett and Bobby Forrester. He has also performed with Buddy Montgomery, Joey Cavaseno, Cecil Payne, Roy Hargrove, Rodney Jones, Jimmy Ponder, Ronnie Cuber, and Arnie Lawrence with Brad Mehldau and Larry Goldings..

Ash was fortunate to be featured along with guitarists Kenny Burrell, Gene Bertoncini, Ted Dunbar, Kevin Eubanks, Rodney Jones and Jack Wilkins with Rufus Reid (bass) and Akira Tana (drums) on a 2 volume CD entitled "A Tribute to Wes Montgomery". The liner notes , written by Dr. Herb Wong characterize Ash as "simply a beautiful young player whose powerful Montgomery tradition comes shouting with validity." William has had guest appearances on WKCR and WQXR Radio, and also appeared on TV on The Guitar Show.

Ash appreciates the trio format and has worked with a variety of bass players and drummers including Jimmy Cobb, Idris Mohammed, Bobby Durham, Dennis Irwin, Willie Jones III, Duane Burno, Ben Wolf, Jimmy Lovelace, Joe Farnsworth, Fuku Tainaka, Louis Hayes, Nat Reeves, Lenny White, Gerald Cannon, and Mark Johnson. He has recorded a number of CDs as a leader and sideman. (see discography below) Ash has gained a strong following in Japan and has recently completed two tours there, hitting close to fifty cities, a number of Jazz festivals, and appearing on the NHK network.

Discography...

Tribute to Wes Montgomery, Volume I and II, William Ash, Kenny Burrell, Kevin Eubanks, Ted Dunbar, Rodney Jones, Gene Bertoncini, Jack Wilkins Evidence ecd22040-2,ecd22051-2

"A Giant Step" What's New Records wncj-2123

Hear William Ash (moonlight and stars) Jazzbank mtcj-1033

"Vincent Herring Village Bebop Quintet" What's New Records wncj-2115

"Village Bebop Allstars" George Braith, Evelyn Blakey, Jimmy Vass, John Abrams, What's New Recordswncj-2102

"Organic Chemistry" Bobby Forrester, Bubba Brooks, Tootsie Bean Lollipop lr9593

"Dirty, Raw, and Swingin'" Yalloppin' Hounds Live at Lincoln Center, Yalloppin- YE1003

"Sukiyaki" - Yoichi Kobayashi - Village Bebop Quintet Live in Japan, feat. William Ash, guitar; Tardo Hammer, piano; Vincent Herring, alto sax; Billy Johnson, bass; Yoichi Kobayashi, drums - What's New Records- WNCJ-2115

Led groups at...

Birdland, Village Gate, Smalls, Fat Cat, Savoy Bar, Showmans, J's.. and have performed at virtually all the jazz clubs in New York

Have performed with...

Buddy Montgomery, Junior Cook, Bill Doggett, Big John Patton, Jack McDuff, Cecil Payne, Roy Hargrove, Rodney Jones, Jimmy Ponder, Ronnie Cuber, Arnie Lawrence, Tom Harrell, Larry Goldings, Brad Mehldau, Joey "G-Clef" Cavaseno, Yalloppin' Hounds, Jimmy "Preacher" Robins, Bobby Forester

Among members of my trio..

Jimmy Cobb, Idris Mohammed, Bobby Durham, Gregory Hutchinson, Dennis Irwin, Willie Jones, Duane Burno, Ben Wolf, Jimmy Lovelace. Joe Farnsworth, Fuku Tainaka

Overseas tours..

Japan 19 cities (2002), Japan 28 cities (2003).

Have published twenty original compositions with BMI

Guest appearance on WKCR radio- Performed on TV Guitar show with Rodney Jones, performed on NHK in Japan.

Awards...

First prize, Talent Award, National Association of Jazz Educators, NAJE, San Diego

William Ash Trio, McDonald's Combo contest award winner, New York City

Jazz Festivals...

Oakland, Orlando - Disney World, San Diego, Midsummer Nights Swing - Lincoln Center, New York City, SATenndon Xamagata Jazz Festival Japan, Iromacity Saitama Jazz Festival Japan

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