Irving Ashby

Irving C. Ashby (December 29, 1920 – April 22, 1987) was an American jazz guitarist.

Ashby was born in Somerville, Massachusetts. After playing rhythm guitar in Lionel Hampton's orchestra, he played in the Nat King Cole Trio from 1947 to 1951. He then briefly replaced Charlie Wilson, a drummer, in the Oscar Peterson Trio, producing a lineup (piano, guitar, bass) similar to the Cole Trio's; the substitution of a guitarist for a drummer continued until 1958. After leaving the Peterson Trio, Ashby concentrated on recording session work. His subsequent work included sessions with Norman Granz, Sheb Wooley, LaVern Baker, Howard Roberts, B.B. King, Louis Jordan, and Pat Boone. In addition to guitar, Ashby also played the upright bass.

Ashby died in April 1987 in Perris, California, at the age of 66.

Partial discography

 * Imperial 5445: "Guitar Rock" / "Gonna Have a Good Time"
 * Imperial 5426: "Night Winds" (E. Freeman) / "Loco-Motion" (I. Ashby & E. Hall)