Jake Cinninger Departs Umphrey’s McGee After 26 Years

Umphrey’s McGee has parted ways with Jake Cinninger. The guitarist informed the band of his decision to “begin a new chapter in his life and step away from Umphrey’s McGee” earlier today, as per an announcement from the group.

Jake Cinninger joined Umphrey’s McGee in 2000, less than three years after the band was formed in South Bend, Indiana. Cinninger has been a crucial part of UM’s sound and one of the group’s main songwriters ever since.

The Niles, Michigan native had been on a leave of absence from Umphrey’s “for personal reasons” since their February 26 appearance at the Suwannee Amp Jam #2 festival in Live Oak, Florida. Cinninger’s now former bandmates have toured without him over the past four months.

Read the full statement from Umphrey’s McGee below:

Over the past few months, we’ve been supporting our brother Jake as he navigates a necessary leave of absence. Today, Jake informed us that he has made the incredibly difficult decision to begin a new chapter in his life and step away from Umphrey’s McGee.

While we are deeply saddened to see him go, we are eternally grateful for everything he has brought to this band over the years. His musical voice, creativity, and passion have helped shape Umphrey’s McGee since the early days, and the memories we’ve made together—both on and off the stage—will stay with us forever.

We know this news will be emotional for many of you, and it is for us as well. We hope you’ll join us in thanking Jake for all that he has given to this band, our music, and this incredible community. We wish him nothing but happiness and success.

As we look ahead, we remain fully dedicated to honoring the music we’ve all built together. Thank you for your endless grace, love, and support for both us and Jake during this transition. We’ll see you out on the road as we continue writing the next chapter together.

Much Love,

Umphrey’s McGee

The guitarist’s departure follows longtime drummer Kris Myers resigning from Umphrey's McGee in May of 2025. Scotty Zwang stepped in to replace Myers.

Cinninger was invited to become a member of Umphrey’s McGee after he previous band Ali Baba’s Tahini disbanded in 2000. The guitarist brought many Ali Baba’s Tahini songs to the UM repertoire, including “40’s Theme,” “Ringo,” “Syncopated Strangers,” “Kabump” and “Got Your Milk (Right Here).” Cinninger also wrote “Utopian Fir,” “Glory,” “Pay The Snucka,” “Booth Love,” “Uncle Wally,” “Women Wine & Song,” “Wizard Burial Ground,” “Dump City” and several other UM staples during his time in the group. All of those songs have yet to be played by Umphrey’s since Jake began his leave of absence.

Jake Cinninger’s last show as a member of Umphrey’s McGee took place at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. on February 15, 2026. Watch footage of the band debuting a cover of J. Geils Band’s “Love Stinks” before finishing “2×2” from the concert below:

Umphrey’s McGee resumes their summer tour on Wednesday, July 8 in Virginia Beach. The quintet then rejoins moe. for a series of co-headlining dates.