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