Classical Musician. He was one of the first African American classical musicians in any major orchestra. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, he attended The Performing Arts High School in New York City. He was a member of the class of 1977 at The Juilliard School, where he was a student of former Philharmonic Principal horn James Chambers. He then took a job with an orchestra in Mexico City, where he met and married his wife, the former Patricia Cantu. They eventually became the parents of four daughters. In 1979 he began his tenure with the New York Philharmonic at the invitation of Ruben Mehta. He was Associate Principal Horn and Principal Wagner Tuba, and made his solo debut with the orchestra in 1982. He was an active performer with various ensembles, chamber groups, and recitals. He was on faculty at The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and the Aspen Music Festival. He continued to perform up until a few weeks before his death from prostate cancer. The International Horn Society's website tribute to Mr. Ashby emphasized that he "was known as a member of the New York Philharmonic but revered even more as a teacher, mentor, and human being." In an obituary in the New York Times placed by the Curtis Institute, they called him, "a remarkable musician, an inspiring pedagogue, and a true gentleman."
Classical Musician. He was one of the first African American classical musicians in any major orchestra. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, he attended The Performing Arts High School in New York City. He was a member of the class of 1977 at The Juilliard School, where he was a student of former Philharmonic Principal horn James Chambers. He then took a job with an orchestra in Mexico City, where he met and married his wife, the former Patricia Cantu. They eventually became the parents of four daughters. In 1979 he began his tenure with the New York Philharmonic at the invitation of Ruben Mehta. He was Associate Principal Horn and Principal Wagner Tuba, and made his solo debut with the orchestra in 1982. He was an active performer with various ensembles, chamber groups, and recitals. He was on faculty at The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and the Aspen Music Festival. He continued to perform up until a few weeks before his death from prostate cancer. The International Horn Society's website tribute to Mr. Ashby emphasized that he "was known as a member of the New York Philharmonic but revered even more as a teacher, mentor, and human being." In an obituary in the New York Times placed by the Curtis Institute, they called him, "a remarkable musician, an inspiring pedagogue, and a true gentleman."
Bio by: L Ferree
Gravesite Details
h/o Patricia I. (Cantu) Ashby
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