John Von Ohlen (May 13, 1941 Indianapolis, Indiana – October 3, 2018, Cincinnati, Ohio) was an American jazz drummer who worked for

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 ...

in 1967 and 1969, then 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 ...

from 1970 to 1972. He began playing Trombone in middle school, and played through high school. He graduated from North Central High School in 1960. He then went to North Texas State briefly, but returned to Indianapolis shortly after. Von Ohlen led the Blue Wisp Big Band in Cincinnati from 1980 to 2018, and his own groups under his name ranging from quartets to big band. From 1967 to 1968, Von Ohlen toured with Billy Maxted’s Manhattan Jazz Band. In the 1980s and 1990s, Von Ohlen was a member of a big band led by the pianist Steve Allee. Von Ohlen died on October 3, 2018 at the age of 77.

Discography

* John Von Ohlen – ''The Baron'' * John Von Ohlen & Steve Allee Big Band – ''Live'' With Blue Wisp Big Band * ''The Blue Wisp Band of Cincinnati'' * ''Butterfly'' * ''The Smooth One'' * ''Live at Carmelo's'' * ''Rollin' with Von Ohlen'' * ''Tribute'' * ''20th Anniversary'' With

* ''Live at Redlands University'' * ''Today'' * ''Live at Brigham Young University'' * ''The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton'' With others * Chuck Carter/Steve Allee Big Band – ''Downtown Blues'' *

– ''Concerto for Herd'' * Cal Collins – ''Crack'd Rib''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Von Ohlen, John 1941 births 2018 deaths American jazz drummers American jazz composers American male jazz composers Bebop drummers Big band drummers American jazz bandleaders Mainstream jazz drummers Swing drummers Jazz musicians from Ohio Musicians from Cincinnati Musicians from Indianapolis 20th-century American drummers American male drummers 20th-century American male musicians