[Dixielandjazz] Joe Ashworth, sad news

[JBruno868 at aol.com]

>From Lance on Joe:



> 
> 
> Thanks for the message.  I have had several people let me know.  It was
> quite a shock for me.  I was overcome with emotion at first.  I sat down and
> wrote from my heart.  Can you please forward this on to others.  I would
> like it to get out,
> 
> It was less than a year since we saw them at Mikes Wake.  How fragile life
> is.
> We have to try to enjoy every minute of it.
> 
> --------
> 
> 
> I just received the tragic news of the passing of Joe Ashworth by email.  I
> am overcome with emotion of loss, sadness, and, yet.... wonderful memories.
> I was part of the Hot Frogs  Jumping Jazz Band family for 10 years My name
> is Lance Maclean.
> 
> 
> 
> I met Joe in 1984, when he was called to play clarinet with a good, longtime
> friend of mine Jay Munns who plays wonderful stride piano.  I was booked on
> that gig as a tuba player, and Joe liked my playing, and asked if I could
> sub for Walt Grenawald at a restaurant Gig they had.  I said I would be
> happy to.  It was there I met all the rest of the original hot frogs frogs.
> I enjoyed that gig so much, and I told Joe that I also played Banjo, and  if
> they ever need a sub to please give me a call.  He smiled and said "well if
> you play banjo as well as you play tuba, I will call you sometime"
> 
> 
> 
> That first  sub gig with the band,  sparked more inside of me to search out
> the SPDJ again.  I had gone in years past, but  even as a shakey's banjo
> player, I did not know much about Dixieland Jazz.  At that time, I was
> playing a lot of Bass and Tuba, so my banjo was mostly in the case.  It was
> wonderful to start playing it again.   I played at probably two SPDJ
> meetings, and saw the " Feature Band" and said to myself.... well, I could
> learn that stuff, this is fun!
> 
> 
> 
> I did not have too long of a  wait ..... I got a call from Joe, and asked if
> I could come over to their house tues night for a rehearsal.  I walked in,
> played, and was hired on the spot.  That weekend we went to the  1985
> Victoria Festival.
> 
> 
> 
> Joe Gave me a handful of tapes, and said "this is some of what we do", So I
> spent as much time as I could  practicing with those tapes before the
> weekend.   I remember how complex the tunes were, and would I ever "get them
> down" I was assured by Joe, that it would not take time.  He was always
> complementary of my playing, and gave me the encouragement and the desire to
> be the best I could be.  Yes.....his standards were high....Yes,  he had a
> special way he wanted me to play for the "Frog Sound".... and Yes... they
> were very successful, and one of the most popular bands on the circuit.
> 
> 
> 
> Of course the rest is history.  I had my start with the Hot Frogs. It all
> seemed so fast, from not playing but a couple of times a year to gigs almost
> every weekend.   I learned a lot through the 10 years I was with the band.
> It was Joe Ashworth who was the Musical guiding force behind the band.  He
> was consistent on what he wanted to hear from each player.   He set an
> example to all of us as by the perfection and  artistry of his own playing.
> Those early for me brought a whirlwind of experiences, Festivals, and Travel
> that I have never seen, until them.  I received a solid education on
> Dixieland Jazz, by Joe and the other members of the band..  .
> 
> 
> 
> Other players had come and gone with my Tenure with the band.  I realized
> after awhile, that they came from varied backgrounds and  felt at times ,
> stifled by the Frog style.  I have since branched out myself quite a lot
> since then, playing with the Nighblooming Jazzmen.   I  have always felt
> though,  I owe a debt of gratitude to Joe Ashworth, and the Hot Frog
> organization, for seeing the potential in me as a player, and  always having
> the confidence in my ability to achieve their goals.
> 
> I am now, and always will be, very proud to have been with the hot frogs
> through what I feel were the very " Best years" of the history of the  Band.
> 
> 
> 
> It is hard to realize that Joe is gone now, not even a year after MIke
> Silverman.  I was able to visit  with he and Dotty just a very short time at
> Mikes Wake. (just after the lights went out)   I will always remember that
> special grin, and how his face always lit up when he would greet you.  The
> depth of his knowledge on almost any subject.... the wonderful memories of
> our conversations on so many things..... and the music.... his wonderful
> style and talent.  These things we will keep in our minds and hearts,
> forever  Joe is it not  really goodbye .... just until we meet again!
> 
> 
> 
> Lance Maclean
> 
> 
>