Marvin Ash

Marvin Ash was the professional pseudonym used by pianist Marvin E. Ashbaugh (October 4, 1914 - August 21, 1974). Marvin Ash was a remarkable and under-recorded New Orleans style pianist who actually spent much of his life wanting to visit the Crescent City, making him all that much more remarkable for his playing gifts. Born in Lamar, Colorado, the only son to barber Roy Ashbaugh and his wife Nora, Marvin grew up in Junction City, Kansas (as shown in the 1920 Census) and Emporia, Kansas, playing with a number of bands as early as his high school years. Among the known musicians he worked with from the town that produced the Count Basie include Wallie Stoeffer, composer Con Conrad, Herman Waldman and Jack Crawford. He was greatly...