Jazz Pianist Mike Darrah has been active in the Cincinnati music scene since 2000, appearing locally, touring the Midwest and appearing at festivals throughout the United States. Mike graduated from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2005. He joined local Jam Band Ray’s Music Exchange in 2004 and appears on their 2010 concert DVD, “A Live Rayunion.” Mike has also recorded with Trumpeter John Zappa, appearing on his 2015 album “Moon and Shadow,” featuring former Dizzy Gillespie drummer Ignacio Berroa, and on Zappa’s 2019 album, “Now Hear This.’ Mike also has recorded and appears with Dave Grier’s Classic Jazz Stompers,  a Dixieland Jazz Band based out of Dayton, Ohio. Mike led the Northside Jazz Ensemble, a jazz quartet that performed Monday nights at the Northside Tavern for 13 years, winning a CEA for “Best Jazz” in 2009. Mike subbed frequently with the Blue Wisp Big Band, a group that featured the legendary drummer, John Von Ohlen. From 2008 until 2023 Mike was the weekend pianist at the Dee Felice Cafe in Covington, also appearing there frequently as a solo pianist during the week. Mike has performed for the past five years on B and B Riverboats for their Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise. He also has performed regularly at the Hilton Netherland Palm court, both as a soloist and leading his own trio since 2011. In addition to performing Mike has taught piano in Cincinnati since 2003. Mike lives in Oakley with his wife, who plays violin and sings in the Bluegrass scene, and their son.