Review Text
William Ash was and remains one of the foremost guitarists in the New York and International Jazz scene. After mastering the guitar within the "Wes Montgomery school", he later learned the bass as a means to supplement his career, becoming a double threat, along with a knack for composing catchy jazz tunes. A protege of the great pianist Barry Harris, Ash is one of the modern purveyors of a an ancient, yet newly revered style of jazz known as "Be-Bop", and he's worked with many of the greats, including Jack McDuff, Cecil Payne, Roy Hargrove, Joey "G-Clef" Cavaseno, Bobby Forrester, and Larry Goldings. About Ash, "All About Jazz" stated he had "a soulfully mellow sound with a driving dynamic approach". "Sweet Wire", Volume 1 and 2 are some now archival recordings that never saw daylight, from back in 2005. They were birthed from some exclusive studio sessions in drummer Jimmy Madison's studio in NYC's Broadway Alley, featuring Madison's tasty, swinging drumming, as well as the versatile bass of Thomas Bramerie. These recordings truly show the art of the guitar trio, once pioneered by Wes Montgomery, Ash's main influence, but Ash takes said art to the next level on these sides. To say that these albums are "great" merely scratches the surface, as audiences will no doubt be surprised by the high level of Jazz going on here. On "Sweet Wire" Volumes 1 & 2, Ash pushes his own limits and breaks out in a creative flurry of edgy Modern Bop, never before heard in Jazz Music. One of his contemporaries, guitarist Peter Bernstein spoke of this release: "William Ash is one the most amazing guitarists I've ever heard. From a ridiculously young age, he had a mastery of the jazz language and natural ability to create and communicate beautiful ideas. A recording from him is an exciting thing!"
