The Original Farm League Big Band turns 10!
Cincinnati jazz, big band, and new music lovers know that The Original Farm League Big Band the ensemble to see when you want to hear the newest, locally-sourced original compositions for modern big band. Founded in April of 2016 by Eric Lechliter, the Original Farm League Big Band has been performing original compositions for jazz big band written by Cincinnati jazz composers for TEN YEARS now and it’s time to celebrate! Farm League is raising funds to record its first ever album, which will feature Cincinnati’s very best jazz musicians and arrangers, capturing and preserving the voice of Cincinnati’s modern jazz scene for generations to come.
“These aren’t just clever arrangements—they’re some of the sharpest big-band writing in recent years.”
“A splendidly inventive album featuring nine re-imagined tracks from Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet.”
The debut album of the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, "We Are The CCJO," features adventurous original jazz compositions, brand new treatments of classic vocal standards, and fresh re-imaginings of 20th century popular music. The orchestra features many of the Queen City's finest jazz musicians including internationally renowned vocalist Mandy Gaines.
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Formed in 2015 by Eric Lechliter, the Original Farm League Big Band is a 17-piece Jazz Orchestra dedicated to expanding the modern big band repertoire while featuring the work of local arrangers/composers. The ensemble comprises many of the Cincinnati/Dayton area's most exciting up-and-coming Jazz players and performs entirely original material.
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The Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra (CCJO) is a 17-member ensemble dedicated to performing, preserving, and teaching Jazz as a living art form. Founded by University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music professor Scott Belck and arts administrator LeAnne Anklan in 2013, the orchestra is comprised of some of the preeminent jazz artists and educators in the Greater Cincinnati area.
As an ensemble, CCJO focuses on featuring the works of contemporary composers and contributing to the jazz legacy by producing and performing its own original material while still maintaining a firm footing in the grand tradition of big band jazz. The Orchestra’s mission is to create experiences that advance jazz as a living art form with a vision to be the region’s leading ambassador for jazz. We are committed to bringing the beauty and elegance of Jazz to students and audiences alike. We aim make jazz accessible and approachable for listeners of all backgrounds which means that the group's programming is often drawn from artists ranging from Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus all the way to Prince, Radiohead and David Bowie. The CCJO also values collaboration and has reached across musical boundaries to welcome musicians of diverse perspectives and musical persuasions to share their stage.
In addition to performing alongside many of the world's brightest jazz stars, the band has partnered with everyone from Latin percussionists to classical string orchestras to full gospel choirs. The Orchestra has performed with several Grammy-winning and -nominated performers including composer Maria Schneider, trumpeter Lew Soloff, trombonist Conrad Herwig, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, saxophonist Lauren Sevian and trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, as well as NEA Jazz Master Saxophonist Jimmy Heath, and Rolling Stones musicians Tim Ries and Bernard Fowler. CCJO partnerships include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Xavier University Music Series, Memorial Hall Signature Series, Cincinnati Youth Choir, Dillsboro Jazz Festival, OTR Performs in Washington Park and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. In the summer of 2023, the ensemble presented a free series at Fountain Square, A Tribute to the Jazz Masters, sponsored by Jamey Aebersold.
The artists that comprise the CCJO have performed, toured and/or recorded with many of the top names in the jazz and commercial music industry including Ray Charles, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Fred Hersch, Conrad Herwig, the Temptations, Tony Bennett, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Bootsy Collins, Clark Terry, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and many many more. As educators, nearly all of the ensemble members serve on the music faculties of prominent university music schools, including the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, Miami University, Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University and the University of Dayton. Eric Lechliter is the artistic director for the CCJO, appointed in 2019. Dr. Scott Belck and Rob Parton serve as ensemble artistic director emeriti.
The CCJO's Jazz@First series features thematic and exciting chamber jazz in an intimate setting at the First Unitarian Church. CCJO chairman and pianist Phil DeGreg leads the popular series which primarily features the Phil DeGreg Trio alongside jazz greats from Cincinnati and around the world.
In addition to maintaining its performance schedule, the CCJO has a similarly strong commitment to Jazz and cultural education. Through its two main educational programs - Collaborative Honing of Performance Skills (CHOPS) and "Let Freedom Swing," the organization provides no-cost guest clinicians for local Jazz programs as well as educational presentations for school districts throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. These programs seek to inspire and provide opportunities for the next generation of Jazz musicians and listeners.
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From advanced performers to novices looking to explore jazz in a group setting, CCM Prep offers an outstanding and unique experience! Our one-of-a-kind program teaches jazz musicians at all levels and most ages, from beginner to professional. CCM Prep Jazz Ensembles offer access to CCM faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Director of Jazz programs: Eric Lechliter.
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“N’awlins Soul Meets Cincinnati Funk” – That is the best way to describe The Cincy Brass. This 9-piece brass band has the essence of Bourbon St, funk, hip-hop, and jazz all wrapped into an epic explosion of sound and passion. Whether it be an original off of their album (featuring Bootsy Collins, buggs tha rocka, or Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russel) or a mind-blowing twist on your favorite covers (Beyonce, James Brown, Def Leppard, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, or Led Zeppelin just to name a few), or an old time N’awlins street music hit, The Cincy Brass delivers a performance that can’t be duplicated.
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Cincinnati Transit Authority is an eight-piece band paying tribute to the great horn driven sound of Chicago Transit Authority. Originating in Cincinnati, Ohio, the band consists of some of the area's best rock, jazz, and blues musicians. The group takes great pride in performing spot-on renditions of iconic Chicago tunes. The band's replication and dedication to the music make CTA one of the top Chicago tribute bands performing now.
Expect to hear all the great hits including “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”, “Make Me Smile”, “Beginnings”, “Hard Habit To Break”, “Questions 67 & 68”, “Saturday In The Park”, “25 or 6 to 4”, “We Can Stop The Hurtin'”, “Introduction”, “Wake up Sunshine”, and many more.
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El Ritmo del Mañana is a high energy group from Cincinnati that provides listeners with the ultimate Latin Jazz experience playing music from Chucho Valdes to Sivuca with plenty of original Latin jazz compositions and arrangements.
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Jazz Quartet featuring Eric Lechliter on the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI).