Vaughn Wiester's 
"Famous Jazz Orchestra"

20th Anniversary Comments

Editor's Note: In collecting information for the Detailed History section of this website, your Editor appealed to a number of current members of the band, ex-members, and frequent Guest Performers via email for recollections and comments.   Many of their Replies went way beyond the simple "facts" of their involvement with the "band."  It was immediately obvious of the admiration, respect and love they had for the man at the helm of this wonderful grass roots musical organization.  It would be a shame not to post them in a special place.  -  If you would like to add your congratulations and/or additional information - please feel free to contact us.

Tom Davis - current FJO guitarist

I met Vaughn as a student at Capital University sometime around 2004.  I was placed in his Octet, but on tenor (I had auditioned for bands on both guitar and tenor that year).  We did a couple of rehearsals that way until the mistake was corrected and I moved to the guitar book.  That band changed my whole life!  Swinging arrangements with big city chord substitutions at professional tempos... what more does a student need??

When I moved back to town in 2014, Aaron Quinn had me in as a sub from time to time.  It was always a blast and really great for me in a lot of ways.  I joined up with the "A-Team" when Aaron moved to NYC in November 2014.

Terry Douds - current FJO bassist

Erik Gimbel - current FJO lead trumpet

I enrolled at Capital U. in the fall of 1988. I promptly got put in the schools large jazz ensemble, which was led by Vaughn. He had name it the "Big Band Sound Big Band," or BBSBB for short. I always assumed this was a reaction to what you typically find with so many college ensembles. Our library was Vaughn's personal library. We were playing classic Bill Holman charts from the 50's (for example) when other bands were playing stuff written specifically for publication (and sale to the world of academia). Every year we would head to the jazz festival at Elmhurst college near Chicago, and it was quite apparent our band had a different sound. In fact, many charts we've played over the years on Monday nights I first played in Vaughn's school bands. While in school I also got the chance to play a couple of times with the earlier incarnation of the FJO, which played at the old Olentangy Inn.

After graduation, I had kind of quit playing the trumpet seriously until sometime late spring/early summer of 1997 when Vaughn called and asked if I'd come sub in the latest version of the FJO he had recently started up. I did and a couple of weeks later he asked me to join the band full time as the lead trumpet player. That was mid 1997 and I've been trying to get my chops back into shape ever since. If it wasn't for Vaughn (and the FJO) my chops probably would have deteriorated past the point of no return and my trumpets would be in a closet, collecting dust.

Matt Ellis - current FJO trombone - Charter Member

I first met Vaughn at Capital. He was a brand new professor, first day blue tie dyed leisure suit with a red bandana sticking out of his back pocket. He also lead a octet and the third big band of which I was a member with Johnny v. He has been my teacher since. 1976 or 77 he looked like Frank Zappa with a hair cut.

  (click on picture to enlarge) - Thanks to Bob Larson for this pic.

I can't remember not playing with Vaughn. I know I was on the road full time until 87. I can only remember Olentangy Inn, River Club and the old days of Vaughn Weister's big band sound big band and Vaughn Weister's Jazz for Dancing. That's right - Jazz for Dancing!!! 

Barbara Knight - frequent Guest Vocalist

I met Vaughn in the mid 1990's on a Cleveland Jazz Orchestra gig. I had heard his name for many years, spoken with a kind of reverence, so I expected some heavy-hitting, serious, jazz cat with an inflated ego. Instead, I was introduced to a fun-loving, joke-cracking, delightful (and, monster) musician who loved to flirt with the ladies. From then on, we became fast friends, and I've been singing with his band 2-3 times a year since the late 90's at the Columbus Music Hall.

Vaughn is a treasure. He's a walking encyclopedia on the history of jazz, and he's been enlightening his crowds for years with this extensive knowledge. On top of that, he's an incredible talent and an all-around wonderful guy who always has time for his friends. I consider myself fortunate to be one of those friends.

Bill England - current FJO bass trombone - Charter Member

The first time I was aware of Vaughn was in high school. I was in 10th grade at Grove City High School. Vaughn was playing bass trombone  with the Columbus Jazz Arts Group in Spring 1973 at the GCHS Coyle Music High School Jazz Festival. I was impressed with his sound and started playing bass trombone with GCHS Jazz Band after that. His appearance at the jazz festival also stuck with me: his hair was black, curly, and full--kind of like an afro. He was wearing a T-Shirt that had "SAMBA" in big bold letters across the front. Every year that I was in high school, the Jazz Arts Group was the exhibition band at this Jazz Festival. Several of the members became jazz heroes of mine, but none more than Vaughn. A year or so later, I played at another high school jazz festival, and I remember someone complimented me on my "ballsy sound" after our performance, which I know I learned by listening to Vaughn's great bass bone sound.

I've been playing bass bone with Vaughn's band since the days at the Olentangy Inn, which was in the early 90's, I think. Vaughn's fantastic library of big band arrangements includes so many pieces that I had heard on records all my life, which I never thought I would one day play. Life is Good!

Over the years Vaughn has been very kind to me and my family in many ways. When my girls were little they came to hear the band many times at the Music Hall, which they remember fondly. Vaughn would be funny and charming with them as he is with all children. He has been very helpful to my sons with their musical growth and development. He has always been very generous to me with his knowledge and encouragement and with referrals for many gigs.

He has also shared music books, sheet music, mutes, mouthpieces, records, etc... It has been a highlight of the Christmas Season, for the past several years, to dress up in top hats and play Christmas Carols for shoppers with Vaughn.

Vaughn is one of the biggest reasons that I still play music and I am grateful to God for him. Happy 20th, Vaughn. And thanks for everything!

Will England - frequent FJO substitute alto/tenor sax

I remember watching and listening to Vaughn's band at the music hall when I was about 10 years old. I especially liked the sound of the saxophones. It was then that I decided that I wanted to play saxophone. The sax section included John Vermullen, Bob LeBeau , Bryan Olsheski, Jay Miglia, and Tom Ryan (I think it was Tom Ryan). Happy 20th, Vaughn! Thanks for everything!

John Hall - current FJO trombone - Charter Member

I have been in the band (FJO) continuously since we started at Becky's 20 years ago. In fact, I was also a regular when the weekly thing started several years earlier at what was then called The Olentangy Inn (its since been replaced by, if I remember correctly, Cap City diner.)  And, I was a regular when we played at The River Club for perhaps 3-6 months after that.

Vaughn took some time off for maybe a year or two (not sure) after leaving Capital when he was on cruise ships.

Before the Olentangy Inn, his band would do occasional concerts in which I sometimes played, such as on the lawn at capital U.  But they were all single gigs.

I think Bill England and Matt Ellis also did Olentangy/River Club with me.  I believe that the 3 of us are probably the only original, and continuous, members of the band.

Ryan Hamilton - current lead trombone

I met Vaughn through Kie Watkins my junior year of high school, 1995-96. That school year I started taking private lessons from Vaughn to prepare for OMEA Solo contest and for the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra auditions in the fall of 1996. I was accepted into the CYJO which of course introduced me to Todd Stoll. Kie, Vaughn, and Todd were my first teachers of all things jazz related. I owe it all to them!

I joined FJO in 2004 and prior to that subbed in the band starting sometime around 1998.

Bob Larson - current FJO trumpet

I first met Vaughn (although I doubt he remembers it) when he worked at Discount Records, on campus. This would have been around 1968. I met him through a mutual friend.  After that, I’m guessing around 1972/3 when I was playing in a big band led by a guy named Clyde Huston. I think Vaughn played with Clyde off and on, but not all of the time.  I saw him alot when playing in Keith Henson’s Octet. This would have been around 1977-1980.

Now, my memory isn’t that great either, so there may be other instances I’m forgetting and years might be off a little.

I joined the FJO in 1999. I grew up on the west side of Columbus, along with Ed Morrison, so when he came to town and was sitting in with various groups, I got to reacquaint myself with Vaughn and when there was a vacancy, he asked me if I was interested in playing.

I’m attaching a great picture of Vaughn. Unfortunately, it’s not in great shape. I’m sure it’s a scan of a scan of a scan of a beat up photo, but I like it anyway. I believe at one time, someone made a poster of it. But, I don’t remember the details. Don’t know if you can use it, but here it is.

Jay Miglia - current FJO alto sax  - Charter Member 

I met Vaughn shortly after I first came to town in 1995. When you're the new guy, you want to meet the cats, so the smart thing to do is to go where the cats are. I regularly carried my tenor to Joe Hunter's jam session at Hyde Park and Bobby Floyd's jam session at Salvi's Grandview Inn, and I often sat in with Rick Brunetto's band at the Aerosquadron. I was subbing in Brunetto's band at the Squad, and VW was in the band that night too. This was the first time we spoke to each other, I think. He pulled me aside and said he was looking for a tenor player for his band which would soon be holding court every Monday at the Columbus Music Hall. I was on the band the very first night at the Music Hall in 1997 and stayed on the band until I left town for a temporary college job and a make-believe doctorate from 2000-2004. I rejoined when I moved back to town in summer 2004, so I have accumulated 16 years in the FJO with a 4-year interruption.

Vaughn has a tremendous "life force" kind of energy that he brings to everything he does. He has a passion for music unlike anyone I know, anywhere on the globe. It drives him to keep discovering and creating, and working his tail off for the FJO. He works harder than the Monday night crowds know: setting up, tearing down, populating the band, acquiring music, booking guests, arranging new music. It's a heavy burden and definitely a labor of love in the truest sense.

Vaughn also has a passion for people that is so amazingly deep and honest. He actually likes to spend TIME with people. Students, musicians, and "civilians" seek his attentions at all times. No one is quicker with a joke or more sincere when he asks "How are you? How's (my wife) Tina? Tell her I said _________." He's so caring and sweetly mischievous, you can't help but be drawn to him.

I love him so much and am so proud to be his friend and a member of this band. The good work that Vaughn has done through it to edify, excite and entertain a generation of audiences will I hope carry on for another 20 years!

Steve Schaar - current FJO drummer

I met Vaughn as a 'very green' freshman at Capital University in the Fall of 1979.  I know I took a few of his classes over the years (Jazz History was legendary and everyone wanted to take it) and I was a member of his big band my senior year at Capital. I've played on many gigs with him over the years all over the place.  Almost 40 years later, we are still at it. 

I joined FJO in February 2001 when Paul Francis went on the road with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Paul came back over the holidays in 2001 and I was out. But, Vaughn called me at the end of January 2002 to come back and I've held the drum chair ever since.

I can't say enough about how supportive Vaughn has been to me over the years. He's like a 'music father' to so many of us. His love for this music and the people in the band is unending. Through the good times and the bad, he's always been a positive support that I can always count on. I can remember a time early on in my tenure in the band, he called me up on a Tuesday evening to see what I was doing.  When I told him I had nothing going on, he said 'Why don't you come over so I can crab at you for a bit'. The previous Monday evening was a bit rough and I had struggled on a couple of up tempo tunes. He proceeded to pull out a recording of the previous night. As we listened, he pointed out places where I was having trouble holding the band together and gave me pointers on what he wanted to hear differently. While some guys might not like this, I appreciate his help in making me a better musician. Years later, we are still talking about tunes and how to make things sound better. There is no doubt Vaughn really knows the literature and wants to share it with others.

Here's to 20 years Vaughn. Can we do this for 20 more?

Kie Watkins, Ph.D - ex-FJO tuba/trombone & gave the band a reason to reassemble

I met Vaughn in 1992 through Todd Stoll. We played a few brass quintet gigs together. I went out to hear the FJO at the Olentangy Inn a few times before they headed over to Becky's firehouse. That was mostly to hear Todd play.

In 1997 I decided to hire FJO featuring Dick Mackey to play for Grandview Heights High School's Christmas concert. Young Ryan Hamilton was in my jazz and concert bands.  Vaughn wanted to include me in the band as a gesture of gratitude. He wrote tuba parts for a few tunes and had me play a little solo in the middle of "The Christmas Song" with Dick on vocals.

After the show, Dick commented that the addition of the tuba was something Vaughn should consider. He urged Vaughn to hire me on to the band. Vaughn agreed, and I joined some time in 1998.  Vaughn wrote a tuba part or two every week. For the rest of the charts I had to play trombone. Thank goodness Matt Ellis was there to help me! He, John Hall, Linda Landis, and Bill England were very helpful always, and always gave me great advice.

I stayed with the band until 2007 or 2008. Sean Maloney will know because he replaced me. That was before he went into the Marines. I continued to sub until I left the hemisphere in 2013.

Also, Ryan Hamilton will know for sure what year that show at Grandview was as he was my featured soloist and also spoke to the press that night about the concert.  Whatever year he says is accurate. If I'm off by a year due to Ryan's statements bump everything by that amount. It's been a long time.

I should also note that Vaughn, along with Lisa Clark and Maria Ferguson Introduced me to my wife, Hien. She and Vaughn go even further back, as she used to go hear him at the Bexley Monk in the 1990's. Four children and 15 years later, as Vaughn would say: "life is good!"

Lisa Webster - frequent FJO Guest Vocalist

I actually came to know Vaughn while in the midst of leaving Capital University in the middle of my sophomore year. Somehow, he heard that I while I was classical voice major, that I'd began singing a little jazz, too. So after listening to me, he kind of "adopted" me into his college band for a short time.

After returning and graduating, I was an easy recruit...And that's about it!

Vaughn Wiester - Director, FJO  - Subject: Keith Henson