Quenton Ashlyn
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Quenton Ashlyn | |
|---|---|
 Quenton Ashlyn, 1905. | |
| Born | Frank Kennedy 19 November 1858 London, England |
| Died | 5 January 1933 (aged 74) Surrey, Epsom |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | J. Quenton Ashlyn |
| Occupation | Music hall singer |
J. Quenton Ashlyn (19 November 1858 - 5 January 1933) was the pseudonym of society entertainer Frank Kennedy.
In his autobiography, The Mighty God and a Sinner, Kennedy describes his natural talent for music and that the concert hall and theatre greatly fascinated him.[1] Before his entertainment career he was employed in clerical duties on a Royal Commission, but he became so successful as a society entertainer that he abandoned government service.[2]
He composed humorous songs which achieved popularity and a wide circulation. One of his works that is still popular is 'The Bassoon', which is still played today.[3][4][5] It also has been professionally recorded in 'The Playful Pachyderm: Classic Miniatures for Bassoon and Orchestra', with Laurence Perkins as the bassoonist.[3]
He attended the Torrey-Alexander revival meetings at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1905, after which he gave up the theatre life and lived as a devout Christian. This was not a rash decision. He grew tired of playing a fool and being laughed at.[2] He was also miserable during his stage years. Giving up the stage as well as giving up drinking, smoking, and billiards greatly improved his mood.[2] His choice was greatly influenced by his Christian mother, who grew up in the London slums.[2] She spoke greatly of her joy, which he never understood until following her lifestyle.[2]
He stayed out the limelight until he died in 1933, at the age of 74, under circumstances not known.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Ashlyn, Quenton (1932). The Mighty God and a Sinner. London: Hunt Barnard and Co.
- ^ a b c d e Before and After Conversion of Mr., Quenton Ashlyn (1905). Stead's Review, May 1905. Melbourne. pp. 466–469.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b "The Bassoon 'Humorous Song' (Ashlyn/Perkins) - from CDA67453 - Hyperion Records - MP3 and Lossless downloads". www.hyperion-records.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ Video on YouTube
- ^ Video on YouTube
- ^ "ccm :: Ashlyn, Quenton Ashlyn, J Quenton Ashlyn". composers-classical-music.com. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
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