Jack Ashford

Barely Appreciated

JACK ASHFORD
 
 
Jack Ashford  (born May 18, 1934), 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, and “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Thelma Houston.  He also played vibes, shakers, and the marimba on the label’s recordings, such as The Miracles’ “Ooh Baby Baby”.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 

In 1966Andrew “Mike” Terry arranged both sides of a single on Karate Records, “Could it Be” b/w “Set My Heart at Ease” for Mikki Farrow; he also co-write Could it Be with Jack Ashford.  

 

(July 2014)

 

Last edited: March 22, 2021