Harold Ashby (March 27, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri, United States – June 13, 2003, in New York City)[1] was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He worked with Duke Ellington's band, replacing Jimmy Hamilton in 1968.[2] In 1959, he recorded backing Willie Dixon on the latter's first album, Willie's Blues.[3]
After leaving the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1975, Ashby worked as a freelance musician and took part in various reunions of Ellington alumni, as well as recording and gigging with his own bands.[4]
Ashby suffered a heart attack in May 2003, and was hospitalized before dying at the age of 78, on June 13 that year.[1]