The British Musical Biography

[E] Ashley, John, musician and conductor,
born in first half of the 18th century. He was
assistant-conductor under Joah Bates of the
Handel commemoration, 1784, director of ora-
torio at Covent Garden Theatre, 1795, and a
performer on the double-bass. He organized a
band, in which his sons were performers, which
gave concerts of instrumental music in various
parts of England. He died March 2, 1805.

[+] His sons, all of whom played in his baud,
were General Charles (1769 — August 28,
1818), a violinist; John James (1771 — Lon-
don, January 5, 1815), an organist and teacher
of singing, who numbered among his pupils
Mrs. Salmon, Mrs. Vaughan, and others. He
composed "Three Canzonets, Op. 5," songs,
and instrumental music. Charles Jane
(1773 — August 20, 1843), violoncellist, was one
of the founders of the Glee Club, and Sec. to
Royal Soc. of Musicians. He was also a mem-
ber of the Philharmonic Soc, and became
proprietor of the Tivoli Gardens in 1843. For
nearly twenty years he was a prisoner for debt
in King's Bench Prison, London. His brother
Richard (1775—1836) was a violinist, and
played chiefly in provincial orchestras.

entry id: 15-R-60