195 – Jeff Mellott: Playing in “Us Today,” The Cincinnati Scene, Your Region’s Musical Heritage

Jeff Mellott has spent his entire life in Ohio and become a fixture on the Cincinnati scene. His trio, Us Today, recently release its fourth album, Computant. After starting at a community college, he transferred to Ohio Univeristy and went on to earn a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the College Conservatory of Music at The University of Cincinnati. In addition to Us Today, Jeff performs with guitarist Brandon Coleman and many other Cincinnati-based jazz artists, and has diversified his working life between performing and being a Music Educators Rep for Willis Music.

In this podcast, Jeff talks about:

* The evolution of Us Today

* Getting featured on NPR

* The band’s composition process

* His upbringing and musical background in Ohio

* Starting out at a community college, transferring to Ohio University, and going on to grad school at University of Cincinnati

* His other job with Willis Music, outfitting music educators with everything they need from instruments to sheet music to tech

* His advice on endorsements

* What keeps him in Cincinnati, and the city’s musical legacy

* Appreciating the different pockets and regions of American music

* The possibility and feasibility of someday moving away from Cincinnati

Jeff Mellott endorses Canopus drums, Bosphorus cymbals, and Vic Firth drumsticks