Show List

Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

Scott Belck's Limehouse Ramblers

Scott Belck's Limehouse Ramblers

Tue, Aug 25

Scott Belck — trumpet

Rick VanMatre — tenor saxophone/clarinet

Vaughn Weister — trombone

Brian Cashwell — piano

Chris Berg — bass

Jim Leslie — drums


Hailing from the vibrant musical tapestry of Cincinnati, the Limehouse Ramblers are a dynamic ensemble dedicated to the spirited sounds of New Orleans jazz. Led by the incomparable Scott Belck, a maestro of trumpet and musical direction and the director of the acclaimed CCM Jazz program, this band embodies the infectious energy and soulful melodies that define the genre.


Founded on a shared passion for traditional jazz, the Limehouse Ramblers have carved out a niche in the Cincinnati music scene, captivating audiences with their tight rhythms, improvisational prowess, and unmistakable joie de vivre. Their performances are a celebration of musical heritage, weaving together elements of Dixieland, swing, and blues into a seamless tapestry of sound.


Whether they're playing in intimate jazz clubs, at local festivals, or on stages across the Midwest, the Limehouse Ramblers deliver performances that are as electrifying as they are soul-stirring. Their music is a testament to the enduring legacy of New Orleans jazz, honoring its rich history while injecting a fresh, contemporary spirit.


Join the Limehouse Ramblers on a musical journey through the heart and soul of New Orleans jazz. With each note they play, they invite you to experience the infectious rhythm.


A $15 drink/food minimum is charged per person in the party, per set, if the total for beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum.


Important Notices:


If you do not check in by 15 minutes into the start of the set, we reserve the right to resell your seats with no refund.


Tickets for this performance are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, a one-time transfer to a future show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.

Carmon DeLeone and The Studio Big Band

Carmon DeLeone and The Studio Big Band

Wed, Aug 26

The Studio Big Band has been the home for Cincinnati’s finest musicians ever since drummer and leader Carmon DeLeone formed it back in 1967. Jazz greats like Jimmy McGary, Michael Moore, Tim Hagans, Steve Schmidt, Gordon Brisker, Lynn Seaton, Wilbert Longmire, and many more have been a part of the Studio Big Band, along with countless other Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame inductees.


The band has performed with world-class jazz soloists like Clark Terry, Joe Williams, and Nancy Wilson. Its exceptional library of music features the compositions and arrangements of David Matthews, conductor and arranger for James Brown, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Julian Lennon, Nina Simone, Bonnie Raitt, and Paul McCartney.


Carmon DeLeone, known as “Cincinnati’s Resident Conductor” and host of his long-running popular radio program “Sunday Morning Music Hall,” has not only conducted orchestras at New York’s Carnegie Hall and all over the world, but has been a drummer on recordings with James Brown, and in concerts with Phil Woods, Jack Sheldon, “Blue” Lou Marini, Dakota Staton, and Cal Collins. He has also toured with Henry Mancini, Alan Sherman, Juliet Prowse, and the New York State Theatre of Lincoln Center.


A $15 drink/food minimum is charged per person in the party, per set, if the total for beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum.

Important Notices:

If you do not check in by 15 minutes into the start of the set, we reserve the right to resell your seats with no refund.


Tickets for this performance are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, a one-time transfer to a future show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.

Davis/Pimentel Quartet

Davis/Pimentel Quartet

Thu, Aug 27

Alec G. Davis - tenor saxophone Gabriel Pimentel - trumpet Sophia Troyer - bass Alex Merk - drums The Davis/Pimentel Quartet explores the fire and intimacy of the chordless jazz quartet. Inspired by the classic collaborations of Stan Getz and Chet Baker, they blend bebop, lyricism, and bold interplay into a sound that’s both steeped in tradition and unmistakably their own. If the total amount of beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum, a $15 drink/food minimum is charged per person in the party, per set. Important Notices: If you do not check in by 15 minutes into the start of the set, we reserve the right to resale your seats with no refund. Tickets for this performance are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, a one-time transfer to a future show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.
Mike Clark Organ Trio w/Rob Dixon

Mike Clark Organ Trio w/Rob Dixon

Fri, Aug 28

Mike Clark - drums

Dave Stryker - guitar

Jerry Z - Hammond organ

Rob Dixon - tenor saxophone


Mike Clark is one of the most influential drummers in modern jazz and funk, known for his groundbreaking work with Herbie Hancock and the legendary The Headhunters. A Sacramento native, Clark helped define the East Bay Sound of Oakland in the 1970s and is widely regarded as the "Father of Linear Drumming" for his innovative approach on Hancock's landmark album Thrust.


Over a career spanning five decades, Clark has recorded and performed with an extraordinary roster of artists, including Christian McBride, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Chris Potter, Tony Bennett, Donald Harrison, and many others. His grooves with The Headhunters rank among the most sampled drum performances in hip-hop history.


A prolific bandleader, educator, and author, Clark has released numerous acclaimed recordings, including Give The Drummer Some, Actual Proof, Blueprints of Jazz, and Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock. His instructional books, including The Post Bop Drum Book and Funk Drumming: Innovative Grooves & Advanced Concepts, have become essential resources for drummers worldwide.


Today, Clark continues to tour internationally as both an acoustic jazz artist and co-leader of The Headhunters, remaining one of the most respected and influential drummers in contemporary music.


A $20 drink/food minimum is charged per person in the party, per set, if the total for beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum.


Important Notices:


If you do not check in by 15 minutes into the start of the set, we reserve the right to resale your seats with no refund.


Tickets for this performance are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, a one-time transfer to a future show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.

Camille Saba Smith Quartet: THE PEARL LOUNGE

Camille Saba Smith Quartet: THE PEARL LOUNGE

Sat, Aug 29

Welcome to The Pearl Lounge—where jazz glows, soul lingers, and elegance never goes out of style. Join Camille Saba Smith (The Soul Pearl) for a richly curated evening of intimate jazz, soulful reinterpretations, romance, wit, and late-night sophistication


Backed by a stellar trio — Zach Karp on piano, Jack Early on bass, and Isaiah Cook on drums — the music unfolds in lush arrangements and timeless selections. Think candlelit jazz salon energy: sensual, intelligent, and unforgettable.


A $15 drink/food minimum is charged per person in the party, per set, if the total for beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum.


Important Notices:


If you do not check in by 15 minutes into the start of the set, we reserve the right to resell your seats with no refund.


Tickets for this performance are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, a one-time transfer to a future show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.

Jeremy Long Quartet: Blue Note Classics & Earth Tones

Jeremy Long Quartet: Blue Note Classics & Earth Tones

Tue, Sep 01

Few record labels have shaped the sound of modern jazz more profoundly than Blue Note Records. Saxophonist Jeremy Long returns to Caffè Vivace with a quartet that celebrates this remarkable musical legacy while showcasing his own distinctive voice as a composer and bandleader.


Joined by guitarist Brandon Coleman, bassist Peter Gemus, and drummer Phillip Tipton, Long presents music from landmark Blue Note albums including Joe Henderson's Inner Urge, Wayne Shorter's Night Dreamer, Larry Young's Unity, and other classics that helped define the post-bop era. These timeless compositions continue to inspire generations of musicians with their melodic sophistication, harmonic depth, and fearless improvisation.


The program also features selections from Long's acclaimed recent release, Earth Tones, an album of original compositions inspired by the adventurous spirit of 1970s rock and jazz. Together, these works create an engaging program that honors the Blue Note tradition while illustrating how its influence continues to resonate in contemporary jazz.


Whether you're revisiting these iconic recordings or discovering them for the first time, this performance promises an evening of inspired improvisation, exceptional ensemble playing, and the intimate listening-room experience that has become a hallmark of Caffè Vivace.


Artist Bio


Jeremy Long is an acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator whose music bridges the rich traditions of jazz with a contemporary creative voice. His debut recording, In Suspension, received widespread critical acclaim for reimagining the classic organ trio format and was considered for a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. His latest release, Earth Tones, explores the intersection of 1970s rock and modern jazz, drawing inspiration from artists as diverse as Led Zeppelin and Wayne Shorter's Native Dancer.


Long has performed on Grammy-nominated recordings, toured internationally with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and appeared as a featured soloist at the XIX World Saxophone Congress in the Canary Islands, Spain. He has also performed before audiences of more than 40,000 alongside Academy Award-winning composer A. R. Rahman.


Dr. Long is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, lead alto saxophonist with the Blue Wisp Big Band, and a member of the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. Recognized for his expressive playing, thoughtful compositions, and versatility across musical styles, he has become one of the region's most respected jazz artists.