Marvin Ash was a superior string/stride player who brought his own sound and enthusiasm to prebop jazz. Ash grew up in Kansas City and played in local bands including those of Wallie Stoeffer, Connie Conrad, Herman Waldman and Jack Crawford. After a period living in Tulsa (1936-42) and working on the radio, he moved permanently to Los Angeles in 1942. Ash spent some time working with Wingy Manone and occasionally appeared with all-star bands but spent most of his career playing in small combos. Influenced by such pianists as James P. Johnson, Fats Waller and Joe Sullivan, Ash may have only been three years older than Dizzy Gillespie but he certainly belonged to an earlier musical generation. Since he was based in Los Angeles, Ash did extensive work in the studios and worked for the Walt Disney music department. He had opportunities to play with Jack Teagarden, Matty Matlock and Pete Daily among many others.

Marvin Ash recorded as a leader for Mirror (1946-47), Jump, Capitol, Jazz Man and finally for Decca in 1956. In later years he played piano at a small bar located in a bowling alley, happily performing prewar classics. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi