Blue Wisp Jazz Club was a

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institution and internationally known venue. Established in 1977 by Paul Wisby in O'Bryonville as a bar, the Blue Wisp quickly became well known for its

jazz music Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, hymns, m ...

. Marjean Wisby continued the club's tradition after her husband's death in 1984, later moving the club to the basement space at 19 Garfield Place, to a location on East 8th street as of in 2002, and to 700 Race St. in 2012. The venue hosted the best local, national and international jazz for Cincinnati, and from the late 1970s to the early 2000s was considered the premier jazz venue in Cincinnati. The famous Blue Wisp

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was a signature of the venue. The marquee was once much larger and displayed the acts until city ordinance demanded the size be reduced. Marjean Wisby died of

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in 2006, leaving behind debts the estate could not pay. The club was sold and the new owners were not able to maintain the venue's appeal or its concept. After a failed attempt at rebranding it as a restaurant, blues and jazz club, they closed the doors for good in June 2014. Its legendary Blue Wisp Big Band is the last vestige of the once great club. They continue the legacy started at the little club in O'Bryonville at

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in Walnut Hills every Wednesday night.

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{{Authority control 1977 establishments in Ohio 2014 disestablishments in Ohio Companies disestablished in 2014 Entertainment companies established in 1977 Music venues completed in 1977 Defunct jazz clubs in the United States History of Cincinnati Music of Cincinnati