Jack Ashford
Encyclopedia
Jack Ashford known to his friends as Jashford, is an African-American musician, widely known as the percussionist for Motown Records
' in-house Funk Brothers band during the 1960s and early 1970s. Ashford is most famous for playing the tambourine
on hundreds of Motown recordings. His definitive performance is on "War
" by Edwin Starr
; other notable songs Ashford played tambourine
on include "Nowhere to Run" by Martha & the Vandellas, "You Can't Hurry Love
" by The Supremes
, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine
" by Marvin Gaye
, "Don't Leave Me This Way
" by Thelma Houston
, and many more. He also played vibes, shakers, and the marimba on the label's recordings, such as The Miracles'
"Ooh Baby Baby". The early 80s even saw production work from Ashford, however the world was not ready for the aggressive p-funk
/80s stylings, typical of his productions around this time. This fusion of styles proved to be the end of Ashford's career in music, however his influence to early funk cannot be discounted.
Bank House Books. The Tamla Motown specialists.
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
' in-house Funk Brothers band during the 1960s and early 1970s. Ashford is most famous for playing the tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
on hundreds of Motown recordings. His definitive performance is on "War
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
" by Edwin Starr
Edwin Starr
Edwin Starr was an American soul music singer. Starr is most famous for his Norman Whitfield produced singles of the 1970s, most notably the number one hit "War".-Biography:...
; other notable songs Ashford played tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
on include "Nowhere to Run" by Martha & the Vandellas, "You Can't Hurry Love
You Can't Hurry Love
"You Can't Hurry Love" is 1966 song originally released by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song topped the United States Billboard pop singles chart and in the UK in the top 5, released and peaking late summer in 1966...
" by The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine
I Heard It through the Grapevine
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a landmark song in the history of Motown. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, the single was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles...
" by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, "Don't Leave Me This Way
Don't Leave Me This Way
"Don't Leave Me This Way" is an R&B/soul/disco song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert. First charting as a hit for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, an act on Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label in 1975, "Don't Leave Me This Way" was later a hit single for both...
" by Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1976 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.-Early life & career:Houston is the daughter of a cotton picking mother...
, and many more. He also played vibes, shakers, and the marimba on the label's recordings, such as The Miracles'
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
"Ooh Baby Baby". The early 80s even saw production work from Ashford, however the world was not ready for the aggressive p-funk
P-Funk
P-Funk is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic collective and the distinctive style of funk music they performed...
/80s stylings, typical of his productions around this time. This fusion of styles proved to be the end of Ashford's career in music, however his influence to early funk cannot be discounted.
Session work
- The Mighty Clouds of Joy - Kickin' - ABC RecordsABC RecordsABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H....
, 1975 - (percussion) - The Mightly Clouds of Joy - Live and Direct - ABC Records, 1977 - (hotel sheet, percussion)
External links
Bank House Books. The Tamla Motown specialists.