Trade Regrets: Jerry Ash

The MI world lost a true giant recently, when Jerry Ash, former president and chairman of Sam Ash Music, passed away on July 6. Our thoughts are with the Ash family and all of Jerry’s many friends within the industry and beyond.

The following was posted on the Sam Ash website:

Surrounded by family, Jerry Ash, former President and Chairman of Sam Ash Music, passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2023. He was highly respected as a businessperson but most importantly, he was a kind, honest man who believed in treating everyone with respect. That’s the lasting impression Jerry aimed to leave on the people he met, whether a customer, colleague, friend, or family member.

About Jerry Ash

Jerome Ash was born in Brookyln, NY, in 1925. As a young man, Jerry started playing piano, but after a few summers performing in the Catskills Mountain Region, he decided to pursue other endeavors. A few years later, Jerry was drafted into the US Army and proudly served during World War II.  After returning from Europe, Jerry attended the City College of New York to study Chemistry. After graduating from college, Jerry joined the family business.  Although Sam Ash Music had humble beginnings as a single local store in Brooklyn started by his father and mother, Sam and Rose, it was Jerry and his brother, Paul, that expanded the business into a national retail brand. Jerry was not a musician himself, but he knew two important things: always listen to what the customer wants, and do everything you can to make the customer happy. Never lie or cheat! Through business acumen, idealism, hard work and his wonderful way with people, Jerry guided Sam Ash Music to incredible heights, setting the standard for the entire music products industry.  Jerry’s innovative spirit was critical to the success of his company. After the Beatles played the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, Jerry quickly filled his store with the electric guitars and Ludwig drum sets that he knew customers were going to start asking for. He made Sam Ash one of the first music stores to adopt recording equipment, synthesizers, and guitar effects pedals. Jerry saw potential in both the people and the products they made. He took a chance on many brands, giving them critical initial exposure . Now legendary brands like Ibanez, Tama, and PRS have had some of their first orders written by Jerry Ash. Back in the late 70s, he saw the beginnings of Yamaha at a small exhibition, saying to his son Richard, “These guys are going to be something.”Of course, he turned out to be correct. 

A Family Man

To some, it might seem that his proudest achievement was the business he built. But if you knew Jerry , you’d know that his greatest joy was his family. He loved talking about the wonderful people in his family circle, and warmly welcomed anyone who joined it. Jerry led Sam Ash Music with his younger brother Paul, who passed away in 2014. His beloved wife Bernice, who passed away in 2020, was the head of the printed music department for the entire organization for many years. Jerry is survived by his younger sister Marcia, his three sons, David, Richard, and Sammy (and their lovely wives); nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild. All of Jerry’s sons followed him into the family business, maintaining the ideals and company culture that defined their father’s success. Several of Jerry’s grandchildren currently hold key positions at the company, while others have found great success in law and technology.  But let’s not forget how much he loved his work and the people he worked with. He genuinely cared about people, which only made his family and business stronger over the years.

Jerry Ash was more than a husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of kindness, whose legacy will continue to inspire us all. 

We will miss you and carry on your legacy. Rest easy, Jerry Ash.