BIG BAND

Blue Wisp Big Band

• The band won the 1997 Cammy Award and, even as a new renaissance of big bands is under way, it remains the one to beat.

Regular gigs: Wednesday nights at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club.

Most recent CD: Rollin' With Von Ohlen.

Pete Wagner Orchestra

• If the Wisp Band is the Count Basie of Cincinnati, then the Pete Wagner Orchestra is our Glenn Miller. Jazz takes a back seat as the orchestra plays classic sweet-band swing for dancers.

Regular gigs: Special events and dances throughout the Tristate.

Most recent CD: None.

PscyhoAcoustic Orchestra

• Pat Kelly leads this dynamic big band into uncharted territory, where Jimi Hendrix is as likely to turn up in a set as John Coltrane.

Regular gigs: With Pat and some of the other members busy in Latin X-Posure, PsychoAcoustic has been absent from the scene recently.

Most recent CD: Reactivation.

SMALL GROUP

Cat City

• Cincinnati's longest-running fusion band is led by bassist Don Aren and features such veterans of the local scene as Steve Hoskins on sax and, back from his trip into country, Brian Braverman on drums.

Regular gigs: Sunday nights at the Blue Wisp.

Most recent CD: Live at Ligosa.

Nancy Goodwin and Cliff Adams Jr.

• Pianist Cliff Adams Jr. (son of the Waterfront's piano man) leads the trio, playing straight-ahead jazz from the likes of John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter, while Nancy Goodwin sings jazz and pop standards from bebop to ballads.

Regular gig: Fridays and Saturdays at Michael G's.

Most Recent CD: none.

Phil Willis Trio

• With his regular dates at Border's Books & Music, guitarist Willis and his trio have developed a strong local following.

Regular gigs: Fridays at Border's Books & Music.

Most recent CD: None.

PIANO TRIO

Phil DeGreg Trio

• Phil DeGreg's deftly probing piano style, bolstered by formidable technique and a versatility that enables his group to serve as the Blue Wisp house band, makes the DeGreg Trio stand out even in a city in which superb piano trios are the rule.

Regular gigs: Tuesday nights and weekends (backing headliners) at the Blue Wisp.

Most recent CD: Table For Three (Phil is also label-shopping a new CD).

Steve Schmidt Trio

• Steve Schmidt first proved himself on the local scene with a long stint as Blue Wisp house pianist. He has since played with the Goshorn Brothers and has been leading a hugely popular organ trio.

Regular gigs: Wednesdays at the Blue Wisp (Steve with the big band), Thursdays at Promontory with the trio; Sundays at Sonny's with Art Gore and Jim Anderson; also has occasional organ trio dates at Kaldi's.

Most recent CD: As a sideman with trumpeter Bobby Shew on Tribute to the Masters.

Shirley Jester Trio

• Witty and sophisticated with sharp timing, both musical and comic, Shirley Jester remains one of the most beloved figures on the local jazz scene.

Regular gigs: Sunday nights at Dee Felice Cafe.

Most recent CD: None.

INSTRUMENTALIST

Cal Collins

• Few local musicians better personify the Cincinnati area's unique Southern-Northern-city-town flavor than this swinging, laid-back, world-renowned Hoosier.

Regular gigs: He can be found most often at the Blue Wisp.

Most recent CD: Cal has played on about 40 CDs as leader and side man.

Steve Schmidt

• Most people know him as a jazz pianist, but he can rock the blues with the Goshorn Brothers. More recently, he can be found on Hammond B3, leading his Steve Schmidt Organ Trio.

Regular gigs: Wednesdays at the Blue Wisp (piano with the big band); Thursdays at Promontory with the trio; Sundays at Sonny's with Art Gore and Jim Anderson; also has occasional organ trio dates at Kaldi's and other spots. March 27, the organ trio plays Sudsy Malone's with the Greenhornes.

Most recent CD: None as leader, but working on a CD in various musical settings.

Phil Willis

• In a scene that includes Cal Collins, Kenny Poole and Wilbert Longmire, it's hard for a guitarist to get noticed. Phil Willis has gotten noticed, his two nominations making him the most recognized jazz guitarist in town.

Regular gigs: Fridays at Border's Books & Music.

Most recent CD: None.

VOCALIST

Ann Chamberlain

• Combining solid jazz chops with a warmly welcoming stage presence, Ann Chamberlain satisfies jazz lovers and casual listeners alike.

Regular gigs: Weekends at Pacific Moon.

Most recent CD: One in the works.

Lynne Scott

• Big band standards are this singer's forte, but she gets jazzier in smaller club settings.

Regular gigs: Most often can be found fronting the Pete Wagner Band at Tristate social functions. Occasionally subs for such singers as Mary Ellen Tanner and Larry Kinley.

Most recent CD: None.

Mary Ellen Tanner

• The Rosemary Clooney of a younger generation -- classy interpretations of classic songs.

Regular gigs: She's house diva at the Celestial, singing Thursday cocktail hours and weekend evenings.

Most recent CD: When the World Was Young.