Ashby Ostermann Alliance

The Ashby-Ostermann Alliance was an American jazz-rock band from Chicago that released a 1981 self-titled album on Divide Records.

Members: James T. Bromley (Bass), Ty von Jenef (Drums), Vince Ashby (Guitar), Dennis Ostermann (Keyboards), Jim Massoth (Woodwind)

Background

Ashby-Ostermann Alliance formed in 1977 in Charleston, Illinois, when guitarist Vince Ashby and keyboardist Dennis Ostermann joined bassist John D’Arco and drummer Bubba Bryant for a barn jam. Ashby and Ostermann developed early versions of “Nightstorm” and “Universal Melody” from the Charleston sessions.

Ostermann was born in 1951 in Chicago and grew up in Brookfield and Lombard. He started piano at ten and concentrated on French horn. Ostermann attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and played Hammond organ in Motherfox. The band started in summer 1971 and worked the Illinois college and bar circuit through Champaign agency Blytham Ltd. Motherfox recorded three originals in May 1972 at Golden Voice Recording Co. in South Pekin.

Ashby was born in 1957 in Charleston and began piano lessons at five. He switched to guitar at thirteen and concentrated on the instrument. Kevin Ashby introduced Vince to Ostermann while Ostermann attended Eastern Illinois University. The two shared interests in classical music and rock-jazz hybrids.

Bryant departed ahead of the first public shows. Ashby relocated to Chicago late in 1977, where Ostermann connected him with saxophonist Jim Massoth. Massoth, a Cicero native, played saxophone with pianist Marshall Vente and joined Ostermann in Jazmin. D’Arco played only a few dates and left the bass chair. The group auditioned several bassists late in 1978 and chose Indianapolis player J.T. Bromley. AOA cycled through several drummers, including Paul Wertico, around the Ashby-Ostermann-Massoth-Bromley lineup.

The settled group played a first proper show at a College of DuPage coffeehouse on a bill with Jim Belushi. The band also played Morton College in Cicero and Trine University in Angola, Indiana. Club dates included B’Ginnings in Schaumburg and Kimball Street Bridge Club in Elgin. The group also appeared at the Wild Hare & Singing Armadillo Frog Sanctuary in Chicago.

AOA recorded a demo in 1979 at an unidentified studio in Lombard. The tape contained early versions of “Mongol Sunrise,” “Nightstorm,” and “Tidebreaker.” Diane Daniel became manager in 1980 as the band increased Chicago and regional bookings. Chicago dates included Tuts and Wise Fools Pub. Regional bookings included Harry Hope’s in Cary and Durty Nellie’s in Palatine. College engagements reached Northwestern University and Northern Illinois University.

Discography:

• Ashby Ostermann Alliance (1981)

References and notes

• Chicago Reader — Steve Krakow, “The Ashby Ostermann Alliance have a second album after 37 years” (April 21, 2020). Direct-member history covering Ashby and Ostermann childhood instruments, Eastern Illinois University, the 1977 Charleston jam, D’Arco and Bryant, Massoth and Jazmin, Bromley, drummer turnover, early venues, the 1979 demo, Diane Daniel, and the December 1980 Hedden West sessions. (Chicago Reader)
• Downstate Sounds — “Motherfox (Charleston)” (August 29, 2026). Documents Ostermann on Hammond organ, the Eastern Illinois University connection, Motherfox starting in summer 1971, Blytham Ltd. bookings, Ted’s Warehouse activity, and the May 1972 Golden Voice recordings. (Downstate Sounds)