BIOGRAPHY

Pianist and composer Whitney Ashe writes and performs music across genres, satisfying a free-range curiosity, creating work that has been praised as “lyrical and edgy” (All About Jazz) and “sultry and entertaining” (Audiophile Audition). He has performed at Birdland Jazz Club, Carnegie Hall, and the Knitting Factory, and internationally at The Blue Note Osaka, Parthenon in Athens, Greece, and Sao Paolo’s Ibirarapuera Park. He has also led his trio and sextet at Smalls Jazz Club. Whitney’s approach to the piano draws from many sources—the understated elegance of Red Garland, the expansive tonality of Samuel Barber, and the subtle, tragi-comic irony of John Cheever are three important influences. Ultimately, Whitney spins ideas into melodic lines, weaving them into compelling, short story-like music.

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Now based in the Midwest, Whitney has performed at regional venues including the University of Akron, Blackhawk College, and The Toledo Cultural Arts Center. Some recent projects include a jazz piano trio exploration of the American Songbook featuring legendary drummer Steve Davis a collection of pop-oriented songs featuring singer Hilary Gardner, and a song cycle using text by the English nature writer J.A Baker. Whitney is part of the HAT Trio, an ensemble that reimagines the classic Nat “King” Cole bass, guitar, and piano trio through intimate readings of repertoire ranging from Sammy Cahn and Kurt Weil to Chick Corea and Steely Dan. He is also the Director of the Al Sears Music Festival and co-creator of the Western Illinois Museum Jazz Series. An insightful educator, Whitney currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at Western Illinois University and frequently gives clinics on big band performance, jazz piano, and improvisation.