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John Von Ohlen was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 13, 1941. He began playing trombone in middle school, and continued playing through high school. Graduating from North Central High School in 1960, he briefly studied at North Texas State, but returned to Indianapolis shortly after.

From 1967 to 1968, Von Ohlen toured with Billy Maxted’s Manhattan Jazz Band. He  also worked for Woody Herman in 1967 and 1969, then with Stan Kenton from 1970 to 1972.

John went on to lead the Blue Wisp Big Band in Cincinnati from 1980 to 2018 and his own groups under his name ranging from quartets to big bands. During this period of the 1980s and 1990s, he was a member of a big band led by pianist Steve Allee.

Drummer John Von Ohlen transitioned in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 3, 2018 at the age of 77.

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