Columbus, Ohio has a lively jazz scene that belies its image as a “cow town.” Home of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the first residential repertory jazz band in the United States, there are a number of good venues in town to hear the considerable local talent as well as national acts. It’s cheap to go club hopping in Columbus and there’s plenty of free parking everywhere.

501 Jazz Bar (501 N. Park St., 614-464-0882, Open Tues-Sat.) This club is only a few years old and is conveniently located between the city’s Arena and Short North Districts. It features national acts (Joey DeFrancesco, Rachel Z, and Ali Ryerson among others) as well as solid local talent, notably Hammond B3 ace Tony Monaco. Performances generally run from 10pm to 2am.

Barrister Hall (560 S. High St., 614-621-1213, Open 7 nights) This martini/cigar/jazz club has been the site of some of the best jam sessions in town, as anyone who has witnessed the Pharez Whitted/Eddie Bayard duels of the past can attest. Located at the edge of the trendy German Village section of town, this club is open 7 days a week and features every kind of jazz, with some blues and salsa thrown in for good measure. Performances are generally from 10pm to 2am, but those who are serious about the music and want to avoid the obnoxious, loud-mouthed, white-wine drinking, on-the-make yuppie scum, will want to delay their arrivals until after midnight.

The Club at the Hilton (3900 Chagrin Dr., 614-414-5000) Columbus’ newest jazz club is at the Hilton Hotel at Easton Town Center, retail-crazy Columbus’ latest shopping-cum-entertainment district. The Club is the place to catch the pianist/trumpeter Kim Pensyl, a local product who’s also a national recording artist. Pensyl holds the fort on Friday nights from 9:30pm to midnight.

Columbus Music Hall 734 Oak St., 614-464-0044) This restored 19th-century firehouse is a unique jazz venue. Of particular interest are the Monday night performances of trombonist/arranger Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra (7:30-11:00pm), a rehearsal band that features charts from the Stan Kenton and Woody Herman libraries as well as Wiester’s own arrangements.

Dick’s Den (2417 N. High St., 614-268-9573) This is a genuine college dive bar situated at the northern edge of the Ohio State campus. What it lacks in architectural aesthetics it more than makes up for in good jazz. Where else can you hear tenor giant Ernie Krivda for a $3 cover and get a bad gin and tonic for 2 bucks?

Cincinnati

Blue Wisp - 513-721-9801 - Race/Garfield

Toledo

Murphy's Place - 419-241-7732 - 413 Madison
Rusty's Jazz Cafe - 419-381-9194 - 2202 Tedrow