Julian Dash (9 April 1916 – 25 February 1974) was an American swing music jazz tenor saxophonist born in Charleston, South Carolina, probably better known for his work with Erskine Hawkins and Buck Clayton.
Julian Dash was a member of the Bama State Collegians, which later became the Erskine Hawkins orchestra. He is recognised, with Hawkins and fellow sax player Bill Johnson, in composing the swing tune "Tuxedo Junction", which became an immense hit when recorded by other (mainly white) bands, notably that of Glenn Miller.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Julian Dash recorded for Sittin' In With records and later was on the Vee Jay label with his sextets. His renditions of "Devil's Lament" and "Dance of the Mother Bird" on Sittin' In With and his "Zig Zag" on the Vee Jay label were hits in the Black community.
Julian Dash can be heard at his best in 1953 on two of the Buck Clayton Jam Sessions in which extended versions of songs (The Huckle-Buck to 63 choruses) were recorded by Vanguard to exploit the newly developed length of LP records. All of the six sessions were later released by Columbia as thematic album LPs and by Lone Hill as CDs, also in complete versions by Mosaic. On 6 March 1972, Dash recorded prominently with fellow tenor saxist Buddy Tate as one of Jay McShann's All-Stars on seven titles of Kansas City-styled tunes. His work as a member of The Jimmy Rushing All Stars shows off his beautiful well-developed tone.
Julian Dash's tenor sax style was vigorous and adventurous. The sound was Hawkins-like, but with less rough edges.