Bob Mair

The jazz community was deeply saddened to hear of the death of former CSJB member Tony Ashby. Tony, a clarinet and tenor sax player, was a stalwart, or perhaps more accurately, an icon, of Brisbane jazz from the time of his arrival in Brisbane 45 or more years ago. Tony was a driving force in the early days of the Brisbane Jazz Club, and played at 1 Annie St Kangaroo Point (then known as the Adventurers’ Club) in the resident band, the Pacific Jazzmen. An avid collector of jazz records and a former trustee of the Australian Jazz Convention, Tony in recent times was active on the committee of the Brisbane Jazz Archives. Amongst his peers, Tony was probably the best known musician in Brisbane as he played in (and ran) big bands, trad bands, mainstream outfits, small groups and walk-around bands. He thus had a very wide circle of musician friends and acquaintances.  He was highly regarded as a true professional in his approach to his music, and his tenor playing in particular was much admired. Tony was one of the characters of jazz, somewhat eccentric (aren’t all musicians?), but much admired and respected by all. He will be sadly missed.