OBITUARIES : Ashley Alexander, 52; Jazz Trombonist, Teacher
Ashley Alexander, a Big Band trombonist, music educator and recording artist, died Thursday at a jazz camp in Saskatchewan, Canada.
A spokesman for Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut said Alexander, a jazz consultant to the Canadian government, had gone for a walk at the camp in Ft. Coppell and failed to return. His body was found nearby. The spokesman for the college, where Alexander had taught since 1975, said the musician was 52 and had a history of heart trouble.
Born in Lucerne, Okla., Alexander studied trombone as a boy and taught music in Oklahoma public schools and then at the University of Northern Iowa and North Texas State University.
Over the years he played with Teddy Phillips, Billy May, Stan Kenton and Tex Beneke and recorded with his own 20-piece band, most recently an album called “Power Slide.”
In May, his student ensemble captured first prize in the college division of the Queen Mary Intercollegiate Jazz Festival in Long Beach.
Alexander also was the inventor of the double trombone, a combination of a slide and valve instrument.
Survivors include three sons, one daughter and a grandson.
A musical, memorial tribute will be held Aug. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mt. San Antonio Stadium.
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