Clarence Pawn is a founding and current member of The Blue Wisp Big Band. For years he has been among the most sought-­after, go­-to Cincinnati musicians—one who can fit the bill in any situation.

After studying trombone at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music with Miles Anderson and Ernest Glover, he began a career of wide ranging musical activities.

From 1967­-1977 he was a staff member at two prominent supper clubs which brought in top-name artists : Sutmiller’s in Dayton, Ohio and the famous Beverly Hills in Southgate, Kentucky. A few of the names he played with there were Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Lou Rawls, Milton Berle and Jerry Lewis. After this, he did tours and shows with Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, Steve Lawrence/Edie Gorme, Nelson Riddle/Linda Ronstadt and many others.

From 1985-­1990 Clarence was an adjunct instructor of low brass at CCM’s Dept. of Jazz & Studio Music, as well as the Director of the Jazz Lab Band there.

He has played with many of the prominent big bands in America, those of Woody Herman, Jimmy Dorsey, Les & Larry Elgart and Nelson Riddle.

Besides the Blue Wisp Big Band, Clarence has been an important part of other significant Cincinnati big bands: the PsyhcoAcoustic Orchestra, the Society Jazz Orchestra and the Bill Walters Orchestra. He also leads his own big band, the Paragon Orchestra.

Clarence is a former member of the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra.

He continues to do many varied gigs in town including, of course, with the Blue Wisp Big Band every Wednesday evening at their new home, Urban Artifact.