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Foreword
It doesn't take one long, that is attempting to research and write a History
of the Famous Jazz Orchestra, to realize that the band's story is synonymous
with it's director, Vaughn Wiester. Therefore, the following will
pretty much be a biography of Mr.Wiester's early years flowing into his FJO
years.
It, also, didn't take long to observe the extremely interesting solid
lifelong relationships that exist among the members and guests of the FJO.
Becoming friends at record stores, schools of higher learning (so they say ( ), and gigs. And, so many years ago: They might have all met at
night - but, as they say in Lankster (Lancaster)- "it wadn't last night."
A huge thanks to
FJO sound man, historian, and recording engineer - Tom
Johnson - for all the work he put into documenting EVERY concert Vaughn's
bands performed up until the last couple years. (circa 2015). And, another
big thanks to the current members, subs, Guest Performers, and
friends of Vaughn Wiester for the good response in
helping me with information and congratulations to him. (check
those responses out)
Vaughn's Early Years
Vaughn Wiester was born in Abilene, Texas to Frank M and
Myra I Wiester, but his family very soon
after moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio where he was raised and graduated from high
school. He had three fathers of influence in his life - his real dad Frank, Robert H Bechtel his high school band director - and,
his life long mentor, Ray Eubanks, past director of the Jazz Arts
Group..
May '63 - Aug '67 - Vaughn served in the US Navy
as musician. After music school he was assigned to the flagship 6th Fleet
- USS Springfield.
Fall '67 - '74 - He spent a semester at OSU. Then,
got a job across High Street at Discount Records where he learned a lot
about music - especially classical. Then, he went with some guys who
started their own record store - Pearl Alley Discs. There he met a
lot of people in the music business including Dave Workman - who he
formed a Blood Sweat & Tears (blues) style band with playing lots of BB
King, Albert King, James Brown - which gave him his background
into African American music. He met Arnett Howard in that band.
During this time he slowly became known on the music scene - playing jobs, now
and then.
Aug '74 - July '76 - Vaughn traveled with the Woody Herman
Band
1977 - Vaughn taught music at the Dave Wheeler's music
school (Contemporary Music Workshop) - Dave (band director guru) taught
combos - convinced Vaughn to start 16 piece band (John Fedchock was in this
band.) Around this time Vaughn briefly taught a young aspiring sax player
by the name of Keith Henson, who he quickly convinced to
study under Dave, himself. Keith formed the sextet Fables
in which he invited Vaughn to play in. Keith then got
interested in octets and formed the Henson Octet that played at Larry's
for two years - and, Vaughn played in that band. Mr.
Wiester owes a lot of his soloing chops to being in those
two bands. Vaughn says, "So; first I was
Keith's teacher, then he became mine!"
Fall '77 - Capital University - Ray Eubanks hired
Vaughn to lead his 3rd Band (Matt Ellis and Art Silva were
members of this band. "This Ellis cat needed a "little"
polishing," chides Wiester. () Vaughn loves to tell the story of how Ray, after
a year, wanted him to take his Jazz History class. Vaughn
immediately offered up, "But, Ray - I don't know anything about jazz
history!" "You will!" Eubanks shot back. And,
that faith Ray had in Vaughn must have been valid as he worked there another 12
years. Ray gave Vaughn his 1st Band along with the Jazz History
class in which he mentored the likes of local music icons Lisa Webster, Art
Silva, and Brian Coon. (Art was Vaughn's room mate for a year
and a half while they were at Capital.)
June - July '80 - Diamond Lil's (Southern Theater) -
"Jazz for Dancing or Vaughn Wiester Band" (his
memory is a little foggy on which he called it.) All of Vaughn's gigs were
with "dance" bands, so when he decided he was going to form his first
band he named it something to do with "dancing." It
doesn't matter as the gig at Diamond Lil's only lasted around 6 weeks.
Famous Jazz Orchestra was Born
Vaughn never really liked having "dance" in the title of his
band(s)
because he never played any "dances" - nor, did he want to. He
was a tad enamored (envious) of this Blue Wisp Band down in Cincinnati
that played weekly (Weds) "cabaret" style - not for dancing, but just
to fill the tables. He needed a new name for the band and remembered
the old RCA black label that said "Duke Ellington and his Famous
Orchestra." Ten seconds later he landed on "Famous Jazz
Orchestra."
May 13, '92 - Aug 18 '93 - Olentangy Inn "Oley's"
(21 pc) (weekly)
Sept 22, '93 - Jan 26, '94 - River Club (weekly)
1994 - The (original) Famous Jazz Orchestra went
"to the bench" as Vaughn took a gig on a cruise ship
Famous Jazz Orchestra was Re-born
Kie Watkins (ex-longtime FJO trombone/tuba) was the director of
the band at Grandview
Heights High School and hired Vaughn to put a band together (featuring Dick
Mackey) for a gig at his school (where Ryan Hamilton, current FJO
& CJO first chair trombone, was attending.) Vaughn convinced Kie to
play in the band that concert, and wrote in a little tuba part (and, solo) to
"The Christmas Song" with Dick on vocals. Vaughn and Dick
thought it went so well that they should add a tuba to the FJO - and, Kie
agreed.
Jan 15 '97 - Apr 30, '97 - Columbus Music Hall - started
playing bi-weekly on Wednesdays - but, would have preferred weekly on Mondays
Saxes - Brian Coon, Jim Staten, Jay Miglia, Keith Newton, Errol
Schlabach
Trumpets - Larry Everhart, Ben Huntoon, Dave Miller, Todd Stoll, Jim
Powell, Bill Ferguson
Trombones - John Hall, Matt Ellis, Chris Cromley, Bill England,
Kie Watkins
Horns - Barbara Nokes, Marshall Jackson
Rhythm - Brett Allen, guitar - Jeremy Laukhuf, bass - Matt
Crouse, drums
- Mark Flugge, piano
May 5 '97 - Apr 28 '08 - Columbus Music Hall - Becky Ogden gave
him his weekly on a Monday
May 12, '08 - Apr 28, '11 - Columbus Maennechor
June 6 '11 - present - Clintonville Woman's Club
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