Composer and orchestra leader, who started in vaudeville bands prior to military service in World War I. During the mid-1920's, he put together a dance band in Chicago. By the end of the decade, he began to concentrate on fronting a semi-symphonic orchestra which played the major theatres, including the Paramount in New York. Ash was instrumental in giving a start to the 'Betty Boop Girl',
Helen Kane, and he also employed future swing greats such as Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. From 1936 to 1945, the Paul Ash Orchestra enjoyed a long spell at New York's Roxy Theatre.
