Spencer Merk, Jazz Combo

Spencer Merk is trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He began attending the College Conservatory of Music for Music Education with a concentration in Jazz Studies in the fall of 2017. During his time at CCM, he had the opportunity to perform with Wynton Marsalis, Tia Fuller, Sherman Irby, Kenny Rampton, Branford Marsalis, Frank Glover, Lauren Sevian, Loren Shoenberg, and Janelle Reichman. While he was a member of the CCM Jazz Orchestra, he travelled to Sao Palo, Brazil to perform as one of the first college ambassadors for Jazz at Lincoln Center. While in Brazil, Spencer performed at educational concerts, jam sessions, and dances. He also opened for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on two occasions. 

Spencer has had the pleasure of performing professionally with such legendary musicians as Jeff Hamilton, Scott Robinson, Joel Frahm, and John Von Ohlen. Not just a Jazz musician, while playing in the original rock band The Almighty Get Down, Spencer headlined several music festivals including Paradise on the Point and 50 Fest (50 West Brewing). He also had the opportunity to open for John Waite (The Babys). Spencer plays frequently around Cincinnati and can be seen with his original Beatles jazz project We Are the Walrus. He can also be seen as a member of El Ritmo del Mañana, the Flying Circus Big Band, The Original Farm League Big Band, and Ouiwey Collins (son of Bootsy) and the Funk Squad. He can also be found filling in for amazing musicians in The Cincy Brass, The Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, The Blue Wisp Big Band, touring rock and roll band Under the Streetlamp, and the Just Strange Brothers.