The Blue Wisp Big Band

Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 - 7:00pm

Doors 6pm, $10, all ages

Founded in January 1980 by drummer John Von Ohlen and trumpeter Don Johnson, the Blue Wisp Big Band takes its name from the late Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati. After years on the road with Stan Kenton and Woody Herman, Von Ohlen settled in the area and, recognizing the local talent, aimed to build a world-class big band that played real jazz—right in a tavern.

With key players like pianist Steve Schmidt and bassist Michael Sharfe, the band launched on Wednesday nights, quickly becoming the heartbeat of Cincinnati’s jazz scene. Their hard bop sound led to a series of acclaimed recordings throughout the 1980s, including releases on the Mopro and Sea Breeze labels, with international airplay and praise.

Notable alumni include trumpeter Tim Hagans and bassist Lynn Seaton. More than four decades on, the Blue Wisp Big Band remains Cincinnati’s premier jazz orchestra—authentic, electrifying, and rooted in tradition.