Spencer Merk joins the Rath Pack

Rath Trombones has welcomed Cincinnati-based performer Spencer Merk to its growing roster of Artists.

Spencer is a trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator who holds degrees from the College Conservatory of Music and the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

He has won the ITA JJ Johnson Competition (2022) and the ATW Jazz Solo Competition (2026).

Commenting on his new association as a Rath Artist, Spencer said: `’I'm very excited to become a Rath Artist. I've looked up to many of the trombonists on the roster for a while and I'm honoured to join the ranks.

“I love how my R10 can cut through the band when necessary, while also filling up the room with a mellow sound. It's agile and clear in all registers and helps me play with my own sound. It is, without doubt, the best instrument I've ever played.”

In 2023, Spencer’s piece Perry’s Ferry won the US Naval Academy Band’s Call for Scores Competition and in 2025, his piece On the Beaches, In the Streets was awarded an Honourable Mention for the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers awards.

He has three recordings out as a leader (Last Place in a Bear Race-2022, At Least-The Merk Brothers-2023, Stories: Big and Small-2025).

In 2025, Spencer was the trombonist for Kim Deal’s Nobody Loves You More tour, playing across the U.S. and Europe including festivals like Primavera Sound (Barcelona and Porto), INMusic (Zagreb), and the Newport Folk Festival.

Spencer has had the pleasure of performing with world-class musicians such as Jeff Hamilton, Maria Schneider, Sean Jones, Umphrey’s McGee, Jeezy, Jeff Coffin, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, and many other Jazz, Commercial, and Pan-American artists. Spencer is in high demand in the U.S. and has led bands at the BLINK Festival and the Columbus Jazz and Ribs Festival.

His compositions and arrangements have been performed by Umphrey’s McGee (featuring Jeff Coffin), Warren Wolf, The U.S. Naval Academy Band’s Superintendent’s Combo, Mike Gordon, Walfredo Reyes Jr., and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra (featuring Jim Snidero).

Spencer Merk plays a Rath Custom R10 with a nickel silver bell, yellow brass slide, nickel silver slide crook, yellow brass tuning slide, and a 10 leadpipe.