Alvin Ashley Obituary
Among some of his collaborators and co-performers are Mose Allison, Michael and Randy Brecker, Louis Belson, Ira Sullivan, Miraslov Vitous, Milt Jackson, David Liebman, Teddy Wilson, Eddie Higgins, Terry Gibbs, Al Cohn, Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest, Chris Connor, Carol Sloane and many others.
Profiled on Drummerworld, Ashley received outstanding reviews for his CD, and his long, professional body of work in the jazz industry. The Raleigh News & Observer called him "a bold drummer in the manner of Art Blakey, rolls and kicks underneath." Pop Matters called Ashley an "excellent drummer (with) exceptional precision."
In recent years, Ashley had been working to increase recognition for deceased 1960s Roanoke jazz pianist/organist, Fats Wright, whom he had played and recorded with in Roanoke.
After graduation from Jefferson High School in 1964, where he was drum major as a senior, Ashley served in the national guard and went on to earn his B.M. at the University of Miami, and later in 1978, his M.M. in Studio Music & Jazz Performance, also at Miami.
Ashley taught on the collegiate level at the University of Miami, Florida Atlantic, St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia as Artist and Residence, Concordia University, and later taught in New York City public schools, in addition to private lessons and clinics.
His mother and father, Fred and Florence Ashley, of Salem, Va.; and his brother, Fred, of Lakeland, Fla., preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Judy; brother Mike, sister-in-law, Kellie; and niece, Kate, of Fairfax, Va. Also his sister-in-law, Dona, of Clearwater, Fla.; and nieces, Teresa of Lakeland, Fla., and Cristina of Clearwater, Fla., and their families.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests support for Al's passion for music and education through a donation in his name to The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (MHOP), 4370 Tujunga Ave., Suite 330, Studio City, Calif. 91604. The MHOP donates new and refurbished instruments to school programs that lack resources to fully support music education.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jenny
April 16, 2023
Jenny
April 16, 2023
Jenny
April 16, 2023
My mom was a friend of Al's in Antigonish. When she recently passed away, I found a few photos that I wanted to share. God bless.
Scott Christie
September 13, 2022
I took lessons from Al Ashley in 1983-84 when he taught at St. Francis Xavier University. He made such a lasting impression on me that I grieve his passing. Al was a sweet man who had patience. Al was a very "cool" guy and was able to be mellow while drawing the best performance out of you. RIP Al, you were one of the good guys and an amazing drummer.
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Fred Hamilton
May 26, 2010
Judy,
As you know, Al and I were very close musically, but also really good friends and I will forever cherish our brief few years together from 1982-'85. When you came into the picture as his new wife, we were so happy and you were the best thing in his life. He is physically gone, but I have him and you in my heart and memories forever.
Love you
Lloyd MacLean
May 26, 2010
Judy, so sorry to hear of Al's illness and passing. I was a "mature student" when Al was at X, and with Fred, Hugh & Lisle, played with him and Pete Stovell. Very cool, and so much fun. We were afraid he would perish that winter out at the place on the lake, but he survived -- and I think you were the one he lived for. Peace.
Brian Steeves
May 26, 2010
Judy- I am deeply saddened to hear of Al's death. It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 30 years since the four of us sat around the table at Pringle Lake. Al was a classy guy and although his stay in Antigonish was a brief 2 years, he had a deep and lasting impact on the musical community here.I have thought of him often through the years and will always cherish our friendship. So sad. Love-Brian
Hugh Clarke
May 25, 2010
Al will be remembered here, by all the local musicians who played with him here in Antigonish, he was a great drummer as well as a great friend.Hugh Clarke(Antigonish,NS.)
Gary Lindsay
May 23, 2010
I have great memories of hanging with Al and playing with him. I was fortunate to play with AL on my Masters recital at the University of Miami and in concert with CJB. Al was a great "jazz drummer" in the most pure sense of the word. He could swing. Judy, his wife, showed such love and support for him it was inspiring. I will miss Al and think of him often.
Michael Stephans
May 17, 2010
I tried writing something here that would do justice to Al's memory; however, mere words seem inadequate.
I will only say that Al was a sweet and affable human being and a hell of a musician, and that I'll always remember him as such.
Rest in Peace, Brother.
Paula Lindsay
May 16, 2010
Let it be known that tears were shed due to the passing of Al Ashley. Al will remain in my good memories forever. I remember Al as a social friend. Someone who liked to have a good meal and hang out. I never saw a bad side to Al. Always up for a party, Gary and I treasured the company and friendship of Judy and Al during their stay in Miami. Al was a good man with a "cool" personality. (P.S. Gary will send his own remembrance as he is under a deadline for a client at present.)
May 14, 2010
It has taken me several days to have the emotional strength to share my deepest and most heart-felt sympathy for your loss. I am eternally grateful that you included me in your updates. I have known Al since we met in 1968 at the U of Miami. We became good friends playing in jazz ensembles, attending classes together, hanging out listening to records, and going to some local jazz clubs to hear some of our favorite players. Al made all the growing pains of being a young musician a fun experience (Attached a photo of Al playing with the UofM Jazz Band in 1969). It was so exciting to be reunited with Al a few years after graduation in Chapel Hill, NC. We formed a qrt with 2 great players from Greensboro and Winston Salem, Gene Bristow (keyboards) and Orville Mason (bass). I moved from Greensboro to Chapel Hill and shared a house with Al until we came back to Miami in the summer of 1976 (Attached a photo taken of Al just before a concert with the Duke Symphony Orchestra in 1976). Living and playing with Al in NC is one of the most cherished experiences of my life. We were together everyday, practicing, playing....... When we returned to Miami we shared an apartment and continued playing together, recording an album of music with Ron Miller (piano), Frank Gravis (bass), and Stan Samole (gtr) and took advantage of every opportunity to play together. In the summer of 1977 we were part of a big band that played at the Montreaux Jazz Festival with guests, Michael and Randy Brecker followed by a 6 week State Department tour of the Middle East (Phot Attached). We fell out of touch for a quite a while after Al and Judy moved to NY and were reunited when Al was recording his CD. It is one of my greatest disappointments that we didn't see each other since his move to NY. The news of his illness and now his passing, is devastaing. Having lost my mother and beloved friend Gene Bristow to cancer, I can imagine the great hardship and suffering that you have all endured. I feel blessed to have had your brother in my life. I used to call him "Uncle Al". Time with Al was like a visit with a favorite uncle. A day won't go by without thinking of him.
Upon receiving the news of Al's passing, I shared the sad news with many of Al's classmates, former students, colleagues, and friends. I've collected and attached a few responses showing the great love, respect, and admiration we all feel for your brother as both a musician and a person. I hope you will share these sentiments with your family and loved ones. I can only hope that Al knew how much we all loved him.
Now that Al is free from his pain and suffering, I hope he's sitting behind his favorite drums, playing and hanging out with all his musical heroes and loved ones. My deepest and sincerest sympathy to you and your family for your loss. So many of us are beneficiaries of his musical legacy as a teacher, musician, colleague, and friend. His life made a difference!!!!
Sincerely,
Dan Bonsanti
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