John Von Ohlen has recorded an album of piano musings — a surprise for someone who made his mark as drummer for Stan Kenton. Of course, we all know him as the co-founder and anchor of the Blue Wisp Big Band, which still plays every Wednesday night at the Urban Artifact in Northside.

“It’s not avant-garde or cutting edge, but it’s unique in the true sense of the word,” Von Ohlen says in an interview about his project on Kickstarter.

His original tunes are warm, lovely to hear and grounded in lush jazz harmonies. He also puts his own spin on a few standards. CCM jazz prof Kim Pensyl — himself a pianist, trumpeter, and prolific jazz recording artist — heard him play one day, and arranged to get him in the studio to record his collection.

Josh Moore is designing the cover art and a tee shirt featuring the famous cracked cymbal.

Now the jazz community is hoping to raise $5,000 by Dec. 12 through Kickstarter to pay for studio and production costs for the album, called “The Pond.”

Click here to make a pledge.