Blue Wisp Big Band was founded in 1980 by drummer

John Von Ohlen John Von Ohlen (May 13, 1941 Indianapolis, Indiana – October 3, 2018, Cincinnati, Ohio) was an American jazz drummer who worked for Woody Herman in 1967 and 1969, then with Stan Kenton from 1970 to 1972. He began playing Trombone in middle scho ...

and trumpeter Don Johnson. The band took its name from the

Blue Wisp Jazz Club Blue Wisp Jazz Club was a Cincinnati institution and internationally known venue. Established in 1977 by Paul Wisby in O'Bryonville as a bar, the Blue Wisp quickly became well known for its jazz music. Marjean Wisby continued the club's tradition ...

History

Von Ohlen, a native of Indianapolis, moved to the Cincinnati area after many years on the road playing with

Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though K ...

and

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

. This inspired to start a big band. Johnson, who had been on the Cincinnati scene for years, suggested which instrumentalists should play in the band. Pianist Steve Schmidt and bassist Michael Sharfe were already playing with Von Ohlen at the Blue Wisp in the Steve Schmidt Trio. The band started recording in 1981, releasing an album sponsored by the Cincinnati television station WKRC, then four for the Mopro label founded by Fred and Helen Morr in the 1980s. Sea Breeze reissued the Mopro albums in the 1990s. Among the group's more notable members were trumpeter

Tim Hagans Tim Hagans (born August 19, 1954) is an American jazz trumpeter, arranger, and composer. He has been nominated for three Grammy Awards: Best Instrumental Composition for "Box of Cannoli" on ''The Avatar Sessions'' (Fuzzy Music, 2010); Best Contem ...

and bassist

Lynn Seaton Lynn Seaton (born July 18, 1957 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a jazz bassist associated with bebop and swing. He has appeared on over 125 albums, including ''Nirvana'' by Bucky Pizzarelli, and the Grammy Award winning '' Diane Schuur & the Count Basie ...

Personnel

Saxophones

* Mike Andres * Jeremy Long * Herb Aronoff *

Brent Gallaher Brent Christopher Gallaher (born May 13, 1969 in Cumberland, Maryland) is an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He is the son of Linda (Swearingen) Gallaher and Christopher S. Gallaher. His father was a professor of music at Frostburg Stat ...

* Larry Dickson

Trumpets

* Jeff Folkens * Kevin Moore * Hank Mautner * Kim Pensyl

Trombones

* Jeff Owen * Clarence Pawn * Scott Forney * Gary Langhorst (bass trombone)

Rhythm section

* Steve Schmidt, piano * Mike Sharfe, bass * Jim Leslie, drums

Former members

Jim Sherrick, saxophone; Joe Gaudio, saxophone; Mike Campbell, saxophone; Steve Hoskins, saxophone; Eddie Morgan, trombone; Paul Piller, trombone; Scott Acree, trombone; Kirk Shields, trombone; Bill Gemmer, trombone; Jim Pelz, trombone; Dominic Marino, trombone; Rick Savage, trumpet; Tim Hagans, trumpet; Don Johnson, trumpet; Larry Wiseman, trumpet; Brad Dunn, trumpet; Al Kiger, trumpet; Al Nori, trumpet; Jerry Conrad, trumpet; Lynn Seaton, bass; John Von Ohlen, drums

Discography

Albums

* ''The Blue Wisp Big Band of Cincinnati'' (WKRC-TV Records, 1981) * ''Butterfly'' (Mopro, 1982) * ''The Smooth One'' (Mopro, 1983) * ''Live at Carmelo's'' (Mopro, 1984) * ''Rollin' with Von Ohlen'' (Mopro, 1985) * ''20th Anniversary'' (Sea Breeze, 2001) * ''A Night at the Wisp'' (Sea Breeze, 2003) * ''Tribute'' (Sea Breeze, 2007)

References

{{Reflist 1980 establishments in the United States 2000s disestablishments in the United States American jazz ensembles Musical groups established in 1980 Musical groups disestablished in the 2000s