Vic Ash discography...
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Vic Ash discography...
Vic Ash was born in Whitechapel, London in 1930. He started clarinet tuition in 1945 while working as a salesman and in 1948 had his first professional booking with Stan Tracey on a tour of British military bases in Germany. He was befriended by Ronnie Scott and got to sit in at Club Eleven although many, including Tony Crombie, were hostile to somebody playing the clarinet in that hallowed bebop venue. He was the first man in Britain to play the clarinet in a modern jazz context. In 1950 he became a full time professional joining the Kenny Baker Sextet in a band that already include Tubby Hayes. In 1953 he worked with Vic Lewis, the first of a number of spells over the next few years with Lewis.
From the mid 1950s he formed his own groups - Vic Ash and his Music, the Vic Ash Quartet, and in 1958 formed a sextet including Johnny Scott, Ian Hamer and Alan Branscombe. The group went to the USA on MU/AF exchange featuring Bert Courtley on trumpet. By now Ash was playing the tenor saxophone as well as clarinet. During this period he recorded with his own groups and as a sideman with others often including baritone sax player Harry Klein. He was an established and popular performer on the club circuit playing with Tubby Hayes and Victor Feldman among others. He did very well for many years in the infamous Melody Maker reader polls.
By 1959 he was back with Vic Lewis and following a tour to the USA in early 1960 formed a quintet with Harry Klein named the Jazz Five. This proved to be very successful and it survived until 1962, touring the UK with a number of top jazz names including Miles Davis, Carmen McRae and the Dave Brubeck Quartet. The group worked the clubs and had an album released in America as well as the UK.
Vic Ash (c1958) In the early 1960s Vic Ash was with the Johnny Dankworth Orchestra before working in Bermuda from 1966 to 1969. When the modern jazz boom faded he worked in musical theatre as well as becoming a first-call reeds specialist for touring stars such as Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. He worked with Sinatra for over 20 years as part of his British tour and for every 18 months from 1970 to 1992 toured Europe, the middle East and England. During the 1970s he worked with many top names including Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli and Ella Fitzgerald on their UK tours. He worked on TV in the Michael Parkinson Show plus studio, concert, TV, film and club work. From 1970 he also fitted in seven years at the Talk of the Town, a central London night club.
As the discography below shows from the early 1990s he was a stalwart of the BBC Big Band and can be heard on a number of their recordings from this date.
The Jazz Five...

Vic Ash wrote his life story - I Blew It My Way - bebop, big bands and Sinatra published by Northway Publications in 2006. He died on October 24th, 2014.


Kenny Baker Orchestra - July 24th, 1951 (Parlophone)
Kenny Baker (tp), Vic Ash (cl,as), Jimmy Skidmore,Tubby Hayes (ts), David Milne (p), Allen McDonald (b), Pete Brady (d).
I Only Have Eyes For You/I Can't Get Started.

Kenny Baker Swing Group - January 2nd, 1952 (Parlophone)
Kenny Baker (tp), Vic Ash (cl,as), Harry Klein (as,bs), Freddy Courtney (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Allen McDonald (b), Johnny Flanagan (d).
Lullaby Of Birdland/Exploitation.

January 4th, 1952 (Parlophone)
Personnel as January 2nd.
Round About Midnight/Afternoon In Paris.

The 1952 Melody Maker's All-Stars - March 24th, 1952 (Esquire 20-001)
Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Vic Ash (cl), Ronnie Scott (ts), Johnny Dankworth (as), Victor Feldman (vib), Ralph Sharon (p), Ivor Mairants (g), Joe Muddel (b), Jack Parnell (d).
Leap Year (2 takes one take on*)/Up The Poll (2 takes one take on^)/M.M.Special (Part 1)/M.M.Special (Part 2).
(*Giant Steps Records CD - Great Scott)
(*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Ronnie Scott "Boppin' With Scott")
(^Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

Melody Maker's New Stars - May 8th, 1952 (Esquire 10-234/237)
Ken Wray (tb), Vic Ash (cl), Geoff Taylor (as), Jimmy Walker (ts), Ralph Dollimore (p), Cliff Ball (b), Don Lawson (d).
Searchlight/The Fifth Man*/Mike's Choice*/St. Maurice.
(*Hallmark CD - Basement Bop - British jazz in the 1950s)

Maxine Sullivan - February, 1953 (Parlophone R3833)
Maxine Sullivan (vcl) acc by the Vic Ash Quartet...

Joe Daniels - November 25th, 1953 (Parlophone)
A dixieland group including Vic Ash (cl) and Don Lusher (tb)...

The 1953 Melody Maker's All-Stars - March 4th, 1953 (Esquire 20-008)
Kenny Baker (tp), Jackie Armstrong (tb), Vic Ash (cl), Les Gilbert (as), Ronnie Chamberlain, (sops), Ronnie Scott (ts), Martin Slavin (vib), Bill McGuffie (p), Ivor Mairants (g), Johnny Hawksworth (b), Jack Parnell (d).
Ballot Box (2 takes, one take on*)/Anidina/Coronation Jump (2 takes).
(*Giant Steps Records CD - Great Scott)
(*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Ronnie Scott "Boppin' With Scott")

Vic Ash All Stars - February 16th, 1954 (Melodisc)
Vic Ash (cl), Gerry McLoughlin (vib), Derek Smith (p), Johnny Hawksworth (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise*/Ain't Misbehavin'*/Doxy*/Blue Room*/Lullaby Of The Leaves*.
(*Jasmine CD - Bop-In' Britain - Vol 2)

The 1954 Melody Maker's All-Stars - March 7th, 1954 (Esquire 20-031* )
Kenny Baker (tp), Don Lusher (tb), Vic Ash (cl), Johnny Dankworth (as), Ronnie Chamberlain, (ts,sops), Ronnie Scott (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Vic Feldman (vib), Bill McGuffie (p), Tito Burns (acc), Ivor Mairants (g), Johnny Hawksworth (b), Eric Delaney (d).
For Voters Only# (2 takes, one take on*)/Gallop Poll (2 takes, one take on*)/Swingdido*.
(#Hallmark CD - Basement Bop - British jazz in the 1950s)

Joe Daniels - May 25th, 1954 (Parlophone)
A dixieland group including Vic Ash (cl) and Don Lusher (tb)...

Harry Klein Quintet - October 26, 1954 (Baritone Sax - Columbia SEG7647) (JMC12)
Harry Klein (bs), Vic Ash (cl), Dill Jones (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Eddie Taylor (d).
Pentagon*/Poinciana*.
(*Vocalion CD - Jazz Today - Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Harry Klein and others)

During 1954 Vic Ash and Harry Klein recorded several 78rpm records with the vocalist Cynthia Lanagan that were issued on the Columbia label...

Vic Ash Quartet - January 3rd, 1955 (Columbia SEG7634 (JMC13)
Vic Ash (cl), Eddie Thompson (p), Bill Sutcliffe (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Jeepers Creepers*/Blue Jeans*.
(*Vocalion CD - Jazz Today - Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Harry Klein and others)

Harry Klein Quintet - January 19th, 1955 (Baritone Sax - Columbia SEG7647) (JMC12)
Harry Klein (bs), Vic Ash (cl), Stan Tracey (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Eddie Taylor (d).
Monument*/Euphony*.
(*Vocalion CD - Jazz Today - Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Harry Klein and others)
(*Avid 2 CD set - Stan Tracey: Three Classic Albums Plus)

Vic Ash Quartet - February 3rd, 1955 (Polygon JTE100) (JMC14)
Vic Ash (cl), Eddie Thompson (p), Barry Hamilton (b), Benny Goodman (d).
Cocktails For Two*/I Hear Music*.
(*Vocalion CD - Jazz Today - Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Harry Klein and others)

Melody Maker's All-Stars - March 7th, 1955 (Esquire EP56* others 10-436 )
Kenny Baker (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Vic Ash (cl), Johnny Dankworth (as), Ronnie Chamberlain, (ts,sops), Tommy Whittle (ts), Harry Klein (as,bs), Vic Feldman (vib), Bill McGuffie (p), Tito Burns (acc), Bert Weedon (g), Joe Muddel (b), Eric Delaney (d). (Add Joe Harriott (as) on Waxing The Winners)
Gershwin Ballad Medley: (Summertime*/Someone To Watch Over Me*/Love Walked In*/Embraceable You*)/Waxing The Winners (Part 1)/Waxing The Winners (Part 2).
(*Hallmark CD - Basement Bop - British jazz in the 1950s)

Jazz Today Unit - April 20th, 1955 (Nixa NJE1006) (JMC11)
Kenny Baker (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Vic Ash (cl), Bertie King (as), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Dill Jones (p), Bill Le Sage (acc), Cedric West (g), Frank Clarke (b), Eddie Taylor (d).
Symphony In Riffs (part 1)*#/Symphony In Riffs# (part 2).
(*Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz)
(#Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute)

Vic Ash Quartet - October 20th, 1955 (Columbia SEG7634) (JMC13)
Vic Ash (cl), Eddie Thompson (p), Bill Sutcliffe (b), Benny Goodman (d).
I Got It Bad/Love Me Or Leave Me.

Vic Ash Quartet - Late 1955 (Nixa NJE1002)
Vic Ash (cl), Bill Le Sage (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d).
Skylark/Lazy Bones/The Nearness Of You/Two Sleepy People.

Vic Ash Quartet - February 18th, 1956 (Tempo TAP2(1))
Vic Ash (cl), Terry Shannon (p), Pete Elderfield (b), Benny Goodman (d).
Early Morning(1)*#/Doxy(1)*/Blue Lou(1)*/Just One Of Those Things*.
(*Jasmine CD - British Modern Jazz Scene - 1956)
(#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene')
(*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Tubby Hayes Vol.2 - Five Classic Albums plus bonus eps and tracks)

Kenny Graham and his Satellites - July 11th, 1956 (MGM C764)
Vic Ash (cl), Danny Moss (b-cl), Jack Ellory (fl), Ivor Slaney (oboe), Stan Tracey (vib, cel), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen, Don Lawson, (perc), Yolanda (voc) + marimba.
Chant*/Utsu*/Sunrise*/Sunset*.
(*Trunk Records CD - Moondog and Suncat Suites)
(*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks)

Discographical detail below is not listed in Lord's Jazz Discography and has been taken from Jazz Journal which published the results of work undertaken by Bernard Shirley, Tony Middleton and Pete Lay. The information on the label is incomplete and misleading....
Bix Curtis Jazz Group - July 28th, 1956 (Jazz from Club Basie - World Record Club R46)
Cliff Lawrence (vcl), Vic Ash (cl), Dill Jones (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tommy Jones (d).
Thou Swell/My Heart Stood Still.
Vic Ash (cl), Bob Efford (ts), Dill Jones (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tommy Jones (d).
Crazy Rhythm.

Vic Ash Quintet - December 11th, 1956 (Nixa NJE1032) (JMC34)
Keith Christie (tb), Vic Ash (cl), Derek Smith (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d).
Cinders/You Took Advantage Of Me/Ash Feld/With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair*.
(*Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz)

Vic Ash Quintet - October, 1957 (Nixa NJT509)
Vic Ash (cl), Danny Termer (p), Laurie Deniz (g), Sammy Stokes (b), Cyril Sherman (d).
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise*.
(*Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz)

Bix Curtis' Jazz from London - c1957 (Jazz from London 1957 - (Acrobat)
Bert Courtley, Hank Shaw (tp), Ken Wray (bs-tpt), Vic Ash (cl), Tubby Hayes (ts,vib), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Dill Jones (p), Lennie Bush (b), Bill Eyden (d).
Blue 'n' Boogie*.
Vic Ash (cl), Dill Jones (p), Lennie Bush (b), Bill Eyden (d).
Cocktails For Two*.
Hank Shaw (tp), Vic Ash (cl), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Dill Jones (p), Lennie Bush (b), Bill Eyden (d).
Night In Tunisia*.
(*Acrobat CD - Jazz from London 1957)

Vic Ash Quintet - March 26th, 1958 (Nixa NJL20)
Vic Ash (cl), Maurice Bielle (vib), Stan Jones (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Blue'n Boogie/High Priest.

Vic Ash Sextet - September, 1958 (All the Winners - Nixa NJT518) (JM0559)
Ian Hamer (tp), Johnny Scott (fl), Vic Ash (cl), Alan Branscombe (p), Spike Heatley (b), Dave Pearson (d).
Just For The Boys*. (Other titles on this LP by others).
(*Vocalion CD - Jazz Today - Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Harry Klein and others)

Cleo Laine - June 24th, 1959 (Cleo sings Elizabethan - Columbia SEG7938)
Cleo Laine (vcl) acc. by a group that includes Johnny Scott (fl), Vic Ash (cl) and Bill Le Sage (p,vib)...

Vic Lewis and his All Stars - June, 1959 (Ember CJS807)
Dickie McPherson, Jimmy Deuchar, Leon Calvert, Gordon Turnbill(Kenny Wheeler) (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Roy East (as), Vic Ash (cl,ts) Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d), Vic Lewis (dir).
The Beaulie Suite/Selections From The Springbok And American Suite .

The Vic Ash Quintet - November 18th, 1959 (BBC Transcription)
Vic Ash (ts,cl), Ian Hamer (tp), Harry South (p), Spike Heatley (b), Dave Pearson (d).
It Could Happen To You*/Doxy*/Cobwebs*/Phone Bill*.
(*Acrobat CD - Vic Ash The Quintet & Jazz Five - Studio and Live Recordings 1959 - 1961)
(*Vocalion CD - BBC Rare transcription recordings (1959) Volume One)

The M.J.6 featuring Stan Tracey - early 1960 (Decca F11212)
Les Condon (tp), Vic Ash (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Crombie (d).
Private Eye*/Tracey's Theme.
(*Acrobat CD - British Modern Jazz Singles, EP tracks & Rarities 1960 - 62)

These titles were recorded at a concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA...
Vic Lewis and his All Stars - April 10th, 1960 (DJM)
Dickie McPherson, Jimmy Deuchar, Leon Calvert, Gordon Turnbill (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Roy East (as,fl), Vic Ash (cl,ts) Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Ray Dempsey (g), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d), Vic Lewis (dir).
Port Of Spain/Little Darlin'.

The Jazz Five - October 23rd, 1960 (Tempo TAP32)
Vic Ash (ts,cl), Harry Klein (bs), Brian Dee (p), Malcolm Cecil (b), Bill Eyden (d).
There It Is*/The Five Of Us*/'Pon My Soul*/Autumn Leaves*.
(*Jasmine CD - The Jazz Five - "The Five Of Us")
(*Fresh Sound CD - The Jazz Makers / The Jazz Five - The Hooter)
(*Acrobat CD - Vic Ash The Quintet & Jazz Five - Studio and Live Recordings 1959 - 1961)

The Jazz Five - November 12th, 1960 (Tempo TAP32)
Vic Ash (ts,cl), Harry Klein (bs), Brian Dee (p), Malcolm Cecil (b), Tony Mann (d).
Hootin'*/Still Life*.
(*Jasmine CD - The Jazz Five - "The Five Of Us")
(*Fresh Sound CD - The Jazz Makers / The Jazz Five - The Hooter)
(*Acrobat CD - Vic Ash The Quintet & Jazz Five - Studio and Live Recordings 1959 - 1961)

These seems an unlikely record to include in a modern jazz website but the personnel suggests something better than Dixieland...
Dill Jones presents The Dixieland All Stars - January 26th and 27th,1961 (Jones the Jazz - Columbia 33SX1336)
Bert Courtley (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Vic Ash (cl,ts), Dill Jones (p), Bill Sutcliffe (b), Benny Goodman (d).
Struttin' With Some Barbecue/Gone Tomorrow/The Preacher/Farewell Blues/Them There Eyes/Caravan/St. David/Jones The Jazz/I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby.

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - 1961 (Roulette/Columbia)
Ronnie Simmonds, Leon Calvert, Kenny Wheeler, Gus Galbraith (tp), Tony Russell, Eddie Harvey Ray Premru (1) (tb), Johnny Dankworth, Ray East (as), Vic Ash, Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Alan Branscombe (p), Kenny Napper (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d).
Abandonado (1)/O Pato (1)/Sack O' Woe*/Curtain Up*.
(*Roulette CD - The Best of the Roulette years)

The Jazz Five - May 18th, 1961 (BBC Jazz Club)
Vic Ash (ts,cl), Harry Klein (bs), Brian Dee (p), Malcolm Cecil (b), Terry Lovelock (d).
Hootin' (The Hooter)*/Still Life*/Autumn Leaves*/I've Told Ev'ry Little Star*/Taxidermist*.
(*Acrobat CD - Vic Ash The Quintet & Jazz Five - Studio and Live Recordings 1959 - 1961)

Tubby Hayes Big Band - BBC broadcast December 13th, 1961 (IAJRC50)
Personnel includes: Jimmy Deuchar, Eddie Blair, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Ken Wray (tb), Vic Ash (cl,ts), Bobby Wellins, Tubby Hayes, Bob Efford, Ronnie Ross (reeds), Alan Civil (frh), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Bill Eyden (d).
Souriya*.
(*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great)

In October, 2009 Gearbox Records released a limited edition vinyl 12" LP of a 1962 BBC Jazz for Moderns broadcast. This has never been available commercially before...
The Tubby Hayes Band - February 21st, 1962 (Gearbox GB1502)
Tubby Hayes (ts,vib), with: Bobby Pratt, Eddie Blair, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (v-tb), Johnny Scott, Bob Efford, Vic Ash, Harry Klein (reeds), Alan Civil (frh), David Snell (harp), Gordon Beck (p), Freddy Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Take Your Partners For The Blues/Peace/Souriya/Down In The Village/Early Morning Afterthoughts.

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - 1963 (Fontana)
Ronnie Simmonds, Leon Calvert, Kenny Wheeler, Gus Galbraith (tp), Tony Russell, Eddie Harvey (tb), Johnny Dankworth, Ray East (as), Vic Ash, Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Alan Branscombe (p), Spike Heatley (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). (1)Kenny Napper replaced Spike Heatley.
Hoe Down/Sing Sing Sing/Off The Cuff/Avenger's Theme*.
(*Roulette CD - The Best of the Roulette years)

At this time Johnny Dankworth started to produce albums that were not just a succession of big band jazz tracks, but were themed LPs or suites and the first of them was issued as What the Dickens !, the titles linked to associations with Charles Dickens characters or phrases.
Johnny Dankworth Orchestra with featured guests - July 29th and 31st, August 7th, and October 4th, 1963 (Fontana TF5203)
Gus Galbraith, Leon Calvert, Kenny Wheeler, Dickie Hawdon (tp), Tony Russell, Eddie Harvey (tb), Ron Snyder or Alf Reece (tu), Johnny Dankworth, Roy East (as,cl), Vic Ash (cl,ts), Art Ellefson (ts,b-cl), Alan Branscombe (p,vib,xyl), Kenny Napper or Spike Heatley (b), Johnny Butts (d). Special guests: Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Tony Coe, Tubby Hayes, Peter King, Ronnie Scott, Bobby Wellins, Dick Morrissey (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Ronnie Stephenson (d), Roy Webster (perc)
Prologue/Weller Never Did^/Little Nell^/The Infant Phenomenon/Demdest Little Fascinator/Dotheboys Hall/Ghosts^/David And The Bloaters/Please Sir, I Want Some More/The Artful Dodger/Waiting For Something To turn Up/fodson And Fogg/The Pickwick Club/Sergeant Buzfuz/Finale.
(Sepia RSCD 2016 - What the Dickens)
(^Salvo 4CD Box set - I Hear Music - A Celebration of the Life and Work of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth)

Cleo Laine - March, 1964 (Shakespeare and all that Jazz - Fontana TL5209)
Cleo Laine (vcl) acc. by a star studded group that included Vic Ash, Kenny Wheeler, Les Condon, Johnny Dankworth and Alan Branscombe...

In 1964 Stan Kenton trombone player and arranger, Bill Russo came to London and recorded several of his longer works with a carefully assembled group of musicians as 'William Russo and the London Jazz Orchestra'...
Bill Russo - August 15th, 1964 (Stonehenge - Columbia 33SX1758)
Recorded by a group that included Vic Ash, Kenny Wheeler, Leon Calvert and Johnny Scott plus a small string section...

Bill Russo - August 16th, 1964 (Virtuosity: A contemporary look - GM3017CD)
'The English concerto' recorded by a group that included Vic Ash, Kenny Wheeler, and Leon Calvert plus a small string section...

Bill Russo - October 9th, 1964 (Stonehenge - Columbia 33SX1758)
'Fugue for Jazz Orchestra' recorded by a large group that included Vic Ash, Kenny Wheeler, Leon Calvert and Johnny Scott plus a string section...

Dankworth's second suite was recorded in New York and featured a number of star American musicians. It was titled The Zodiac Suite, the titles linked to star signs.
Johnny Dankworth Orchestra with featured guests - October 9th and 28th, November 2nd and 10th, 1964 (Fontana TF5229)
Greg Bowen (tp), Leon Calvert (tp,fhrn), Kenny Wheeler (tp,ten-hrn), Gus Galbraith (tp), Tony Russell, Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith (tb), Ron Snyder (tu), Johnny Dankworth, Al Newman (as,cl), Vic Ash (cl,ts), Art Ellefson (ts,cl), Paul Carroll (bs,as,cl), Alan Branscombe (p,vib), Kenny Napper (b), Johnny Butts (d). Special guests: Clark Terry (tp), Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb), Ronnie Scott (ts), David Snell (harp), Lucky Thompson (ts), Danny Moss (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Chuck Israels (b), Phil Woods (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Osie Johnson (d).
Theme: Way With The Stars^/Gemini/Leo/Scorpio/Sagitarius^/Aquarius/Pisces/Aries/Taurus/Cancer/Virgo/Libra/Capricorn/Coda.
(Sepia RSCD 2017 - The Zodiac Variations)
(^Salvo 4CD Box set - I Hear Music - A Celebration of the Life and Work of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth)

Some time in 1970 Vic Ash played flute on an album led by pianist Roy Budd in a sextet format that included guitarist Ike Isaacs. The album titled Budd 'N' Bossa was issued on Pye NSPL18354 and included many popular Bossa nova tunes of the time...

Cleo Laine - c1975 (Born on a Friday - Fontana TL5209)
Cleo Laine (vcl) acc. by a group that included Vic Ash (ts) and Johnny Dankworth (as,sop) plus a small string section...

During the late 1970s many swing 'revivals' were recorded and Vic Ash, along with other prominent jazz musicians, played on a number of these. Some were based on a nucleus from the Ted Heath band...no doubt some of these LPs can still be found. (Full details of these records are available if required)...
Stan Reynolds - September, 1975 (The Greatest Swing Band in the world...is British - Pye NSPL18469)
Big band that included Vic Ash, Leon Calvert, Kenny Baker, Ronnie Ross and Danny Moss with vocalists Dennis Lotis and Lita Roza from the Heath band plus Monty Babson and The Berkeley Squares...

Freddy Cole - c1976 (Sing - Demand D4006)
Freddy Cole (piano and vocals acc. by a big band that included Vic Ash, Kenny wheeler, Kenny Baker, Bob Efford, Ronnie Ross and Gordon Beck plus a string section... Squares...

The Swing Connection - c1979 (Opus in plastic - Hobo H0508)
Big band that included Vic Ash, Leon Calvert, Kenny Baker and Duncan Lamont...

Judd Solo - c1980s (The Judd Solo Band - RCA INTS1405)
Big band that included Vic Ash, Leon Calvert, Kenny Baker and Duncan Lamont...

In 1989 Kenny Baker recorded a series of seven CDs for the TCM label titled The Louis Armstrong Connection that recreated Louis' early bands. Vic Ash played on six of these...
Kenny Baker - February 22nd to March 2nd, 1989 (The Louis Armstrong Connection Vol 1 - The New Hot Five - TCM33001)
Band including Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, George Chisholm and Don Lusher...

Kenny Baker - May 30th to June 8th, 1989 (The Louis Armstrong Connection Vol 3 - The New Hot Five, New Orchestra and New Savoy Ballroom Five - TCM33003)
Band including Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, George Chisholm and Don Lusher...

Kenny Baker - June 26th to July 7th, 1989 (The Louis Armstrong Connection Vol 4 - The New Orchestra and New Savoy Ballroom Five - TCM33004)
Band including Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, Don Lusher and Ronnie Ross...

This appears to be identical to Vol 5 of the TCM series...
Kenny Baker - July 24th to August 4th (The New Sebastian Cotton Club Orchestra - Magic Music CD33004
Band including Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, Don Lusher, George Chisholm, and Ronnie Ross...

Kenny Baker - July 24th to August 4th, 1989 (The Louis Armstrong Connection Vol 5 - The New Orchestra and New Sebastian Cotton Club Orchestra - TCM33005)
Band including Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, Don Lusher and Ronnie Ross...

Kenny Baker - September 11th to 23rd, 1989 (The Louis Armstrong Connection Vol 6 - The New Orchestra - TCM33006)
Band including Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, Don Lusher and Ronnie Ross...

Kenny Baker - November 5th to 18th, 1989 (The Louis Armstrong Connection Vol 7 - The New Orchestra - TCM33007)
Band including Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, and Ronnie Ross...

In 1990 Vic Ash began working with the BBC Radio Big Band as it was then known. Shortly after the BBC dropped the 'Radio' from the title and it became the BBC Big Band. Over the next few years he played on a number of recording dates, some of the CDs are still being offered for sale...
BBC Big Band - August 4th, 1990 (Special Edition - RBB002(CD))
BBC Big Band - June and July, 1991 (The Age of Swing - Volume1 - Tring TFP020/VAR097(CD))
BBC Big Band - June and July, 1991 (The Age of Swing - Volume2 - Tring TFP020/VAR098(CD))
BBC Big Band - December, 1992 (City Life - with Georgie Fame and Madeleine Bell - RB003(CD))
BBC Big Band - BBC Jazz Parade, 1992 (Mellow Jazz - WMEM0025-2(CD))
BBC Big Band - BBC Jazz Parade, 1992 (Red Hot Jazz - WMEM0022-2(CD))
BBC Big Band - BBC Jazz Parade, 1992 (Blue Jazz - WMEM0024-2(CD))
BBC Big Band - BBC Jazz Parade, 1992 (Cool Jazz - WMEM0023-2(CD))
BBC Big Band - c1992 (The Very Thought Of You - Sony Music Special Products A23808))
BBC Big Band - early 1990s (The Age of Swing - Volume3 - Tring TFP020/VAR099(CD))
BBC Big Band - early 1990s (The Age of Swing - Volume4 - Tring TFP020/VAR100(CD))

The live recording detailed below was made at Ronnie Scott's Club in Birmingham...
Kenny Baker's Dozen - September 3rd and 4th, 1993 (The Boss is Home - Big Bear ESSCD224)
Kenny Baker, Derek Healey, Bruce Adams, Simon Gardner (tp), Don Lusher, Bill Geldard, Richard Edwards (tb), Roy Willox (fl,as), Vic Ash (cl,ts), Alan Barnes (as,ts), Dave Willis (ts,bassax), Eddie Mordue (bs), Brian Dee (p), Dave Green (b), Ralph Salmins (d).
Swingin' The Blues/Stumbling/Street Of Dreams/Slightly Latin/What Am I Here For/Threesome/When Sunny Gets Blue/Squatty Roo/Golden Cress/Sorta Ragtime/The Boss Is Home/More Than You Know/Harlem Airshaft/It's All Right With Me/In A Jam.

BBC Big Band - March 18th and 23rd, 1994 (Showstoppers - BBB004(CD))

Vic Ash Quartet - 1995 (The Eyes Have It - Audio-B ABCD3R)
Vic Ash (ts,cl), Dave Newton (p), Malcolm Creese (b), Allan Ganley (d).
The Touch Of Your Lips*/Bernie's Tune*/I Thought About You*/November Rose*/Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea*/Silver Minor*/Namely You*/Soon*/Carnaval Samba*/Nancy With The Laughing Face*/The Eyes Have It*.
(*Audio - B CD - The Eyes Have It)

Marlene VerPlanck - 1996-1997 (You Gotta Have Heart: The songs of Richard Adler - Varese Sarabande VSD5804(CD))
Marlene VerPlanck (vcl) acc by the BBC Big Band...

In the Autumn of 1997 a live concert was recorded in Budapest, Hungary that included the BBC Big Band and singer Elaine Delmar. The CD titled A Hot Evening at the International Buda Stage was a non-commercial issue for the Hungarian firm IBS Kft and was not released anywhere commercially...


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