Biography

Vaughn Gillispie

Vaughn Gillispie, a life‐long resident of Cincinnati and great nephew of Bessie and Andrew Johnson, has been playing music and drawing for as long as he can remember.  A member of the Cincinnati Fire Department for 25+ years, Vaughn still finds time to play his horns, saxophone and flute, in various Cincinnati jazz clubs and family gatherings.  He has been inspired for many years by all the great jazz artists but of course has special affection for the reed players such as Lester Young; Charlie Parker; John Coltrane; Kenny Garret; Grover Washington, Jr.; Branford Marsalis; and others.  His style is smooth like Grover, but he can get funky like Kenny and can bop like Trane.  Vaughn is honored to be able to play selections as part of the special recognition for his Aunt Bessie.

As a visual artist, Vaughn has rendered pictures of family members that look like photographs!  He is a multi‐talented member of the family and continually thrives to perfect and share his creative expressions.