The Longworth-Anderson Series (LAS) has always been shaped by people who bring both a love of music and a genuine investment in community, creativity, and connection. Jennifer Marco is a wonderful example of that spirit. Since becoming involved with LAS, she has been a thoughtful presence behind the scenes—bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and a willingness to support the series however she can.

Jennifer’s background spans both the technical and creative worlds. Professionally, she works in digital health and technology, while her earlier experiences in live music production at Riverbend Music Center gave her a firsthand appreciation for the work that goes into creating memorable concert experiences. Beyond her professional life, she has also dedicated time to fundraising, volunteer coordination, and community-focused events throughout Cincinnati.

In this week’s Q&A, Jennifer shares more about her experiences, her connection to live music, and what excites her most about being part of the LAS community.

What first drew you to get involved with Memorial Hall and LAS?

It was really a combination of community, music, and wanting to give back locally in a meaningful way. I have always felt enthusiastic about supporting and staying connected to the local arts scene. The more I learned about the organization and its mission, the more it genuinely felt like the perfect fit for me personally. As an avid supporter of music, I felt I could bring a unique perspective and fresh lens to the LAS committee.

I am currently a healthcare IT professional, but I also had a background working at Riverbend Music Center in production support many years ago, and that experience deepened my appreciation for live music and the impact it can have on people and communities. I value the opportunity to serve and contribute to Cincinnati’s cultural landscape while helping to create an experience that brings people together.

What LAS concert(s) have you attended? Which did you enjoy most and why?

I’ve attended Christian McBride, esperanza spalding, and, most recently, Madison Cunningham. I enjoyed esperanza’s show the most because it felt healing and immersive. I resonate with how she blends jazz, storytelling, and experimentation in a way that evokes deeper feelings. She took me on an unforgettable sonic journey!

What makes the Memorial Hall experience different from other venues in the city?

Memorial Hall offers a unique experience: an intimate concert with exceptional acoustics set within an architecturally and culturally rich historic gem that exudes its own charm.

As someone with a strong marketing lens, what do you think more people should know about LAS?

The series offers a trifecta experience: a beautifully curated evening showcasing Grammy-nominated and winning performers and bands, spotlighting local musicians at our pre-concert reception, and the opportunity to support the local restaurant community.

What album would you take to a desert island?

Thievery Corporation - “The Temple of I&I”

What song makes you want to dance?

Idris Muhammad - “Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Chris Lorenzo, Walker & Royce Remix)”

Who is the most underrated musician, in your opinion?

Hiatus Kaiyote—their artistic vision deserves a much brighter spotlight than it currently receives.

Behind every unforgettable Longworth-Anderson Series (LAS) evening at Memorial Hall, there are people whose passion for music makes it all possible—and Bill Thompson is certainly one of them. A Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society Advisory Board member, LAS Advisory Committee member, and concert sponsor, Bill has been part of our story for several years. Whether he’s championing artists, hosting Blue Snakes & Banjos on WAIF, or conducting thoughtful interviews with musicians who take our stage, Bill brings a deep love of music—and a genuine curiosity—to everything he does.

We’re excited to provide a glimpse into the musical influences, memories, and moments that have shaped his connection to LAS and Memorial Hall.

What has been most meaningful to you about watching LAS grow over the years?

The return of people who could fill a much larger space: Rhiannon Giddens, Marty Stuart, and Mavis Staples. Rhiannon came here last year from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, where she had sold out the 2,362-seat room (for comparison, the Taft Theatre holds 2,261). The series and the venue have built a reputation among artists who aren’t interested in squeezing every dollar from the audience.

What do you love most about Memorial Hall, both as a historic building and as a place for live music?

I appreciate the building as an architectural gem. However, if it didn’t have the Annie W. and Elizabeth M. Anderson Theater, I would have visited it once after the renovation was complete. I return again and again for the music. The intimate theater is the best listening room in the Tri-State.

What’s the first concert you ever attended?

I’m an old man, but I have been going to concerts since I was in junior high school in Piqua, OH. I can’t swear that this was the first show I saw, but my dad drove me to Hara Arena in Dayton to see the Rolling Stones. Here’s the AI description: “The band played a notoriously poorly attended concert on November 13, 1964, during their second U.S. tour. Only 300 to 650 fans attended the 6,000-seat venue, resulting in a short, roughly 20-minute set. The show was criticized by locals and considered a commercial flop.” I was not one of the locals who criticized the event; I was mesmerized. It might have only been 20 minutes, but it seemed like hours to me. I was already music mad, but this convinced me I was onto something special.

What’s a song that instantly takes you back to childhood?

There are many because AM radio was filled with great music in the mid-1960s—Motown, British Invasion, the Beach Boys, one-hit wonders, etc.—but when I hear “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, I head straight to the Rec, a teen club in Troy, about 8 miles south of Piqua. They had after-school events and dances on weekend evenings, so whenever I could catch a ride with a friend’s older sibling, I was there. In retrospect, as much as I liked looking at the local girls, it’s the music that I remember most.

What are you listening to right now?

I co-host Blue Snakes & Banjos on WAIF-FM 88.3 with Bob Hust (also a Founder of LAS). We have been on the air since 2014. I spend my time trying to keep up with new music from artists I like and searching for new artists that sound intriguing. I subscribe to multiple newsletters for tips about people I should give a listen to. It would be silly to say who I’m listening to now, but I’ll tell you who I have seen and who I have tickets for this year: Amythyst Kiah; Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill of the Continental Drifters; Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens; the Montvales; Madison Cunningham; Bob Dylan; St. Paul & the Broken Bones; Shawn Mullins; Paul Thorn and Scott Miller; Bruce Springsteen; the local honeys; Paul Simon; Daniel Donato and Marty Stuart; Drivin N Cryin; Wilco; Graham Nash; Watchhouse; Yacht Rock Revue; and Duane Betts. I have my eye on some others as well.

If your life had a soundtrack, what’s one song that would have to be on it?

“Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones. The Let It Bleed album came out in the fall of 1969, two months into my freshman year of college, which was the most formative time in my life.

How has music impacted your life?

I was watching the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, when the Beatles played for the first time. After it was finished, I went into the bathroom and combed what little bit of hair I had into bangs for school on Monday. When I arrived, I wasn’t the only boy in the seventh grade who did the same thing that day. My friends and I had always enjoyed music, but after that, it became all-encompassing. My only regret is that I didn’t have the discipline to learn to play an instrument. But I could not have chosen a more rewarding obsession.