Blue Wisp Big Band was founded in 1980 by drummer John Von Ohlen and trumpeter Don Johnson.
Von Ohlen, a native of Indianapolis, moved to the Cincinnati area after many years on the road playing with Stan Kenton and Woody Herman.
Johnson, who had been on the Cincinnati scene for years, suggested which instrumentalists should play in the band.
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.
Among the group's more notable members were trumpeter Tim Hagans and bassist Lynn Seaton.