ABOUT THE CCJO

MISSION
TO CREATE EXPERIENCES THAT ADVANCE JAZZ AS A LIVING ART FORM

​

VISION

TO BE THE REGION'S LEADING AMBASSADOR FOR JAZZ

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, its members are some of the preeminent Jazz artists and educators in the nation, all of whom have deep ties to the greater Cincinnati music education community. The ensemble explores the works of contemporary composers as well as those of the masters of the Jazz heritage, including Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis and Gil Evans.

​

The members of the CCJO have performed, toured and/or recorded with many of the top names in the jazz and commercial music industry. These include Ray Charles, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Fred Hersch, Conrad Herwig, the Temptations, Arturo Sandoval, Tony Bennett, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Bootsy Collins, Clark Terry, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

 

As educators, nearly all of the ensemble members serve on the music faculties of prominent university music schools, including: Miami University, Capital University, Northern Kentucky University, Butler University, Xavier University, the University of Dayton and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. 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 is the proud winner of the 2016 CityBeat Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best Jazz Ensemble.


The CCJO believes in the power of music to transform lives for the better and seeks to bring the beauty and elegance of Jazz to students and audiences alike.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ERIC LECHLITER

Artistic Director

Eric Lechliter is a professional musician, arranger and educator based in the Cincinnati area. An active trumpet player, he plays frequently with several local bands including The Cincy Brass, The Flying Circus Big Band, Craig Bailey's Ohio Jazz Players, The Blue Wisp Big Band, The Society Jazz Orchestra, Pat Kelly's PsychoAcoustic Orchestra and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and has shared the stage with international recordings artists including John Fedchock, Chris Vadala, Greg Gisbert, Terell Stafford, Byron Stripling, Bobby Broom, Barry Ries, Alex Norris and many more. As an arranger/composer, his music has been performed by the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, The CCM Jazz Lab band, The Cincinnati Youth Jazz Orchestra, the CCJO, and The Original Farm League Big Band (which he founded in 2016). Since graduating from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he has maintained a busy schedule as a Jazz clinician and private teacher. He has also served as a faculty member for Miami Valley Jazz Camp starting in 2013, and currently directs the Xavier University Jazz Orchestra as an adjunct professor of music. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

LEANNE ANKLAN
Secretary
PHIL DEGREG
Chairman, Piano

LAURA GENTRY

Director

ZACHARY GRANGER

Director
JOHN LIEBERMAN

Treasurer

DOUG LILLIBRIDGE

President

SAM MOORE

Director

JEFF NEU

Director

CALEB TINDELL

Director

SANDY UHRIG

Director

JANE WELLING

Vice President

JEFF BLANKENSHIP

Legal Counsel

SPONSORS

AL HARRIS

Jazz@First Series Sponsor

OHIO ARTS COUNCIL

BIG JOE DUSKIN MUSIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION

WILLIAM O. PURDY, JR. FOUNDATION FUND OF THE GREATER CINCINNATI FOUNDATION

Season Sponsor

NELLIE LEAMAN TAFT FOUNDATION

Season Sponsor

LOUISE TAFT SEMPLE FOUNDATION

Season Sponsor

ROBERT A. & MARIAN K. KENNEDY CHARITABLE TRUST

​

JAZZ UP YOUR NEXT EVENT: HIRE THE CCJO

Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra (CCJO) members are some of the preeminent Jazz artists in the nation. The members of the CCJO have performed, toured and/or recorded with many of the top names in the jazz and commercial music industry. These include Ray Charles, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Fred Hersch, Conrad Herwig, the Temptations, Arturo Sandoval, Tony Bennett, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Bootsy Collins, Clark Terry, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

​

Whether you are looking for a jazz trio for your cocktail hour or a full jazz ensemble for your wedding or private party, the CCJO can help make your entertainment dreams a reality. Contact CCJO booking manager Matthew Anklan today at mjanklan@gmail.com.

P.O. Box 428798 Cincinnati OH 45242

©2018 by Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.