Cincinnati has a proud lineage of jazz musicians that have left their mark on the music. Artists like Frank Foster and Rosemary Clooney called this city their home. Here is an introduction to the world-class jazz scene in Cincinnati—a small sampling of some of the musicians carrying on that tradition today. Jazz up your holiday giving with these great listens.
We Are the CCJO
Fans of big band music will love the first album from the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra led by Eric Lechliter. CincinnatiJazz.org
Golf
Are you an adventurous listener? Check out the inventors of “Garage Jazz,” Animal Mother.
AnimalMotherUSA.bandcamp.com/music
Amazonas
Cincinnati legend Phil DeGreg enlists some heavy Brazilian musicians to bring you the sounds of the Amazon. PhilDeGreg.com
Christmas This Year
Need a Christmas jazz album? How about a record from one of the greatest singers alive, local artist Mandy Gaines. Facebook.com/p/Mandy-Gaines-Jazz-100055885905036/
Butterfly and the Smooth One
One can’t talk about jazz in Cincinnati without paying respect to the Blue Wisp Big Band—still playing together after 46 years! BlueWispBigBand.com
Maya
You’ve never heard anyone play the saxophone like Eric Wurzelbacher. Prepare to have your face melted and your mind blown. EricWurzelbacher.com
Spencer Merk is a trombonist, composer and arranger in Cincinnati. He has three albums out as a leader (Last Place in a Bear Race, 2022; At Least, The Merk Brothers, 2023; Stories: Big and Small, 2025). In 2025, he was the trombonist for Kim Deal’s Nobody Loves You More tour, playing across the U.S. and Europe. SpencerMerkMusic.com