Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

The Original Farm League Big Band is a 17-piece Jazz Orchestra dedicated to expanding the modern big band repertoire while featuring the work of local arrangers/composers. Formed in 2015, the ensemble comprises many of the Cincinnati/Dayton area's most exciting up-and-coming Jazz players and performs entirely original material. 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 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.

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.

Marlin McKay - Trumpet and Flugelhorn Bryson Dunsmore - Piano / Keyboard Brian Vinson - Bass James Gaiters - Drums Celebrating the Music of Freddie Hubbard, jazz trumpeter Marlin McKay returns to Caffe Vivace to pay homage to one of his early influences during Freddie's birth month. 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 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.

Michael Mavridoglou — trumpet Dan Drees — tenor saxophone Jordan Pollard — piano Aaron Jacobs — bass Jim Leslie — drums Join Michael Mavridoglou and and all-star cast of the area’s best musicians as they dive into the music and styles of one of the most important voices in jazz history, Miles Davis.  The group will select from a wide range of Miles Davis’ distinct eras to bring you a night of incredible music.  A $15 food/drink 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.

Miss Camille Saba Smith — The Soul Pearl — returns to Caffè Vivace for an after-dark evening of sultry jazz, soul, and refined storytelling. With velvet vocals, regal poise, and effortless command of the room, Camille creates a mood that is both intimate and magnetic. Backed by a stellar trio — Zach Karp on piano, Jack Early on bass, and Mike Meloy 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.

Rick VanMatre - saxophones Rusty Burge - vibraphone Kim Pensyl – piano Aaron Jacobs – bass John Taylor - drums Rick VanMatre’s ensemble presents the sound of progressive original jazz along with a unique treatment of classic standards. His compositions and improvisations are known for surprises, both powerful and sensitive. He has presented concerts, club performances, and symphonic jazz concertos throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, and Fanfare magazine has described him as “simply an outstanding and awe-inspiring improviser and jazz composer.” Here in Cincinnati, you may have seen him as a soloist on Cincinnati Symphony pops concerts and at the College-Conservatory of Music where, as Director of the Jazz Studies Department, he played and conducted hundreds of performances. He has been named “Best Jazz Musician” by Cincinnati Magazine, and he is a Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame inductee. 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.

Trio Incognito brings together saxophonist David Bixler, bassist Dan Loomis, and drummer Fabio Rojas in a collective rooted in depth, intention, and expressive clarity. Bixler’s reflective, lyric-driven voice has been shaped by decades on the international jazz scene—from early work with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Toshiko Akiyoshi to a Latin GRAMMY–winning residency at Birdland with the Chico O’Farrell Afro-Cuban Big Band, and a recent run of acclaimed, deeply personal recordings including In the Face of Chaos and The Langston Hughes Project. Loomis is a daring composer and in-demand collaborator whose work spans nearly a dozen recordings as a leader or co-leader, with performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Village Vanguard. Rojas adds a dynamic, deeply musical presence shaped by work with Greg Osby, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Sean Jones, and by his 2024 debut Perseverance. Together, Trio Incognito explores music that is searching, spacious, and emotionally grounded—where composition, improvisation, and deep listening meet. A $15 food/drink 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.

Matthew Whitaker - Hammond Organ Marcos Robinson - guitar John "Johnny" Steele - drums Matthew Whitaker is a Grammy-winning, Emmy and NAACP Image Award-nominated band leader, composer, and arranger. Whitaker’s musical career began at age three and has since included international performances and appearances on major television programs. He has starred in, produced, and scored the Emmy-nominated documentary “About Tomorrow,” composed for the film “Starkeisha” (Hulu), and contributed to the Emmy-winning Apple TV commercial “The Greatest.” In 2023, he served as musical director for “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For” in Pittsburgh. He has performed as a guest soloist with orchestras such as the Aspen Chamber Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, composed for the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, and created the score “Finding Free” for Alvin Ailey Dance Company’s 2024–2025 season. His collaborations include Jon Batiste, Christian McBride, Derrick Hodge, Bootsy Collins, Ray Chew, Regina Carter, and Anderson Paak, with notable performances including the 2024 Paralympics Handover Ceremony. In 2026, Whitaker won a Grammy for arranging “Super Mario Praise Break” with the 8-Bit Big Band. He is a three-time recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award and has released four studio albums, including “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute” (2024), nominated for Outstanding Jazz Album at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Whitaker is committed to expanding access to music education. He serves as Artist in Residence at Augustana University, teaching piano, music theory, jazz ensembles, and choirs. Whitaker also advocates for people with disabilities, consulting with companies to improve accessibility. 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

Christian Howes — violin Phil DeGreg — piano Aaron Jacobs — bass Cedric Easton — drums Violinist, educator and composer, Christian Howes was voted #1 in the Downbeat Critics Poll (“Rising Stars/Violin”), named among the top three jazz violinists by JazzTimes, and nominated for Violinist of the Year by the Jazz Journalist Association. He received the Residency Partner Award through Chamber Music America, earned a USArtists grant through the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and was invited by the U.S. State department to teach and perform as a cultural ambassador in Ukraine and Montenegro. His release on Resonance Records, “Southern Exposure” earned recognition in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Downbeat, Jazz Times, and a six-night run at Lincoln Center. His release, “American Spirit” was named among the Best Jazz Albums of the Year″ by the Huffington Post. Howes is the founder of “Creative Strings“, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to expand music education through the creation of online curriculum, conferences, and visits to schools teaching improvisation, and contemporary styles. Through Creative Strings, he created more than 500 free play along lessons on YouTube, garnering over six million views. He has visited nearly 1,000 classrooms across the U.S. teaching MS, HS, and collegiate music students and teachers. 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: 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.

Joey Alexander - piano Daniel Winshall - bass Tyson Jackson - drums Born in Bali, Indonesia, Joey Alexander burst onto the global jazz scene with his 2015 debut album My Favorite Things, released by Motéma Music. Since then, he has released seven albums across Motéma, Verve, and Mack Avenue Records, earning widespread acclaim and three Grammy Award nominations, including Best Instrumental Album for My Favorite Things and Best Improvised Jazz Solo for “Giant Steps” and “Countdown.” His albums My Favorite Things and Countdown both reached #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts, while Eclipse climbed to #3. These releases solidified his reputation as a major creative voice in contemporary jazz at a remarkably young age. Joey has performed for President Barack Obama at the White House and President Bill Clinton at the Arthur Ashe Learning Center Gala. His notable live appearances include the Grammy Awards, the Grand Ole Opry (with Kelsea Ballerini), the Apollo Theatre, Carnegie Hall, and major jazz festivals, clubs, and concert halls around the world. He has been profiled on 60 Minutes and featured in The New York Times, with additional coverage from DownBeat and JazzTimes. These media highlights have helped establish Joey Alexander as a prodigious talent and a leading figure in modern jazz. 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 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.

Gabrielle Cavassa - vocalist Gabe Schnider - guitar Lex Warshawsky - bass Kyle Poole - drums Gabrielle Cavassa is a singer and composer, recently signed to Blue Note Records. She was ushered into the spotlight through her collaboration with renowned saxophonist Joshua Redman on his critically acclaimed 2023 record ‘where are we’. In a five-star album review by Downbeat, Cavassa is hailed as “a young singer with a deep, rich, and fragile voice…a star in the making.” Born in Escondido California of Italian descent, Cavassa began “obsessively listening” to records from a young age. Largely self-taught, she developed a unique approach to singing that would later characterize her artistry. Cavassa received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from San Francisco State University, but credits the Bay Area music scene for her “real education”. She moved to New Orleans in 2017, where she continued her education in local clubs. In 2020, Cavassa independently released an eponymous debut record produced by collaborator Jamison Ross. In 2021, she was crowned a winner of the prestigious International Sarah Vaughan Jazz Vocal Competition. Later that year she was discovered by Joshua Redman’s manager at an event in New Orleans, leading to their 2023 collaboration on Redman’s where are we. After the release, Cavassa toured extensively across the U.S., Europe, and Asia with the Joshua Redman Group from Fall 2023 to Spring 2025. Blue Note records announced they had signed Cavassa in 2024, quoting label president Don Was, “listening to Gabrielle sing is an experience akin to having her whisper secrets in your ear, the intimate honesty of her storytelling is breathtaking – she will be a major musical presence for decades to come.” Cavassa’s Blue Note debut is set to release in Spring 2026. 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: 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 — alto saxophone Jamie Walkenhauer — alto saxophone Brent Gallaher — tenor saxophone Dan Drees — tenor saxophone Larry Dickson — baritone saxophone Jeff Owen — trombone Clarence Pawn — trombone Brian Stevens — trombone Gary Langhorst — bass trombone Jeff Folkens — trumpet Hank Mautner — trumpet John Zappa — trumpet Kim Pensyl — trumpet Steve Schmidt — piano Mike Sharfe — bass Jim Leslie — drums Cincinnati's legendary Blue Wisp Big Band celebrates its 46th year of swingin' Big Band music at Caffe Vivace. Founded in January 1980 by drummer John Von Ohlen and trumpeter Don Johnson, the Blue Wisp Big Band got its start in and its name from the late Blue Wisp Jazz Club. Von Ohlen, a native of Indianapolis, moved to the Cincinnati area after many years on the road playing with world-class jazz orchestras, most notably those of Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. After hearing all of the fine musicians in the area, he felt there was a need to form a group because most of them “weren’t playing any jazz, which is the reason they started playing in the first place.” He felt the desire to start a “world-class big band and wanted to put it in a tavern, a beer joint.” Don Johnson, who had been on the Cincinnati scene for years, suggested which instrumentalists should play in the band. Von Ohlen states, “Don was the horn connection.” Pianist Steve Schmidt and bassist Michael Sharfe were already playing with Von Ohlen at the Blue Wisp in the Steve Schmidt Trio, Wednesday through Saturday nights, so the rhythm section was easily formed. Von Ohlen remembers approaching Paul and Marjean Wisby, the original owners of the Blue Wisp, with the idea, “Wednesday is a slow night. Why don’t we bring in a big band and blow the roof off the place? It worked real good.”Since its inception, the Blue Wisp Big Band has been the top jazz orchestra in Cincinnati. The hard bop-oriented big band started recording in 1981: first, an LP sponsored by the Cincinnati television station WKRC, and then four for the Mopro label, founded by Fred and Helen Morr, in the 1980s. The Mopro LPs were reissued in the mid -’90s on two CDs on the California label Sea Breeze, with one of the sets recorded in Los Angeles during a West Coast tour in 1984. Through the devoted and hard work of Helen Morr, the LPs were distributed around the country and Europe, garnering notice, good reviews, and airplay around the world. Among the group’s more notable members were trumpeter Tim Hagans and bassist Lynn Seaton. The band continued to perform at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati on Wednesday nights until its closure in the summer of 2014. After a six-month tenure at Japp’s Annex in downtown Cincinnati, a short stint at Pirate’s Den in Westwood, and three years at the Urban Artifact in Northside, the band has a new home at Caffè Vivace in Walnut Hills. 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 Blue Wisp Big Band show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.

Ralph DiSylvestro — trumpet Eric Wurzelbacher — tenor saxophone Colin Palmieri — alto saxophone Zachary Granger — trombone Ben Tweedt — piano Justin Dawson — bass Alex Merk — drums The Cincinnati Jazz Messengers are a 7-piece ensemble assembled by trumpeter Ralph DiSylvestro to celebrate the iconic and exciting music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers from the 1950s through the 1980s. Art Blakey’s band featured some of the most influential composers and instrumentalists of the 20th century, such as Benny Golson, Cedar Walton, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Watson. The goal of the Cincinnati Jazz Messengers is to keep the music of these jazz titans alive and, in the spirit of the Jazz Messengers, contribute their compositions to the diverse and rich songbook. Currently living in Nashville. Eric Wurzelbacher is originally a Cincinnati-based saxophonist, composer, and educator known for blending modern jazz improvisation with influences from rock and contemporary music. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he has become an active performer and bandleader in the Midwest jazz scene. As a leader, he has released several albums including Eco Quartet (2017), Power (2018), Maya (2019), Idle Minds (2021), Don’t Climb the Towers (2024), and YOUNGBLOODS TRIO (2025). 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 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.

Andy Smith — Hammond organ Daniel Nail — tenor saxophone Carlos Vargas-Ortíz — guitar Jason Smart — drums Hydrophonics is a funk and soul organ quartet based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their sound is a melting pot of styles reflecting the different musical backgrounds of the band members, with priority always given to danceable grooves and tasteful melodies. Hydrophonics’ catalog includes original music and arrangements of the works of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, and more. If you like Soulive, Medeski, Martin, Scofield & Wood, Jimmy Smith, Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles, then you’ll enjoy the soulful sounds of Hydrophonics. A $15 food/drink 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.

Nicole Zuraitis - piano/vocalist Idan Morim - guitar Sam Weber - bass Dan Pugach - drums Nicole is a 2X GRAMMY® winning and 4X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader, and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole is a trailblazing artist who is redefining vocal jazz, earning her a place as one of the top artists and "prolific songwriters" (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond. As a recording artist, Nicole has released five albums as leader, and her sixth album How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time GRAMMY-winner Christian McBride, features all original music and was awarded the 2024 GRAMMY for BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM. Nicole is the only artist ever to have won this award who wrote and arranged the entire album herself. In addition to leading her quartet, Nicole performed and recorded with the Birdland Big Band as premier vocalist before taking off as a large ensemble leader of her own, co-producing the Dan Pugach Big Band and guesting for major European big bands. She has headlined at Newport Jazz Festival, along with iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the late, great 55 Bar. She has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony, and Macon Pops, and has supported iconic singers like Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss, and Livingston Taylor on piano and vocals. Nicole is a featured artist and producer on her husband, renowned drummer, bandleader, and composer Dan Pugach’s 2025 GRAMMY-winning album, “Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence” (Best Large Ensemble) for which they composed the GRAMMY-nominated song, “Little Fears” (Best Jazz Performance). Nicole is a vocalist on the GRAMMY-winning “Last Sunday in Plains: A Centennial Celebration” alongside Jon Batiste, Keb’ Mo’, and LeeAnn Rimes. In 2024, Broadway World honored Nicole with the “Best Big Band Show” Award. Nicole's arrangement of Dolly Parton's Jolene, co-written with renowned drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY®, springboarding her career and making her a household name in the modern-day jazz landscape. Nicole has collaborated with an extensive list of luminaries, including Christian McBride, David Cook, Gilad Hekselman, Veronica Swift, Benny Benack, Stephen Feifke, Cyrille Aimee, Antonio Sanchez, Dave Stryker, Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Helen Sung, and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud educator and currently vocal faculty at NYU and SUNY Purchase. 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.

The Original Farm League Big Band is a 17-piece Jazz Orchestra dedicated to expanding the modern big band repertoire while featuring the work of local arrangers/composers. Formed in 2015, the ensemble comprises many of the Cincinnati/Dayton area's most exciting up-and-coming Jazz players and performs entirely original material. 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 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.

Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley - vocals & percussion Erwin Stuckey - piano & vibraphone Teddy Mechley - bass Matt McAllister - drums Kris Keith - flute & tenor sax, percussion Batucada brings the authentic sound of Brazilian music direct from the streets of Rio de Janeiro. With a vibrant explosion of rhythm and energy, Batucada ignite the stage with infectious grooves, soaring melodies, and dazzling percussion. With Batucada you will experience the soul of Samba, the heart of the Carnival, and the pulse of a nation! 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. 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.

Organized Gentlemen is a Cincinnati-based trio featuring Brian Batchelor-Glader on organ, George Simon on guitar, and Jeff Mellott on drums. Originally rooted in the classic organ trio tradition, they cut their teeth playing instrumental covers of funk, soul, pop, and R&B gems from the ’60s through the ’90s. Over time, their creative chemistry led them into original territory—writing and recording music that balances groove-driven joy with audience connection. As their sound evolves, their dedication to the craft continues to deepen, always grounded in the spirit of exploration. 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 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.

Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Tia Fuller and acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Shamie Royston are two of the most compelling creative voices in contemporary jazz. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, the sisters share a deep musical lineage and a commitment to artistic excellence that bridges performance, composition, and education. Together, they represent a rare convergence of virtuosity, intellect, and soul. Tia Fuller is a force across jazz, pop, R&B, and beyond, blending technical command with melodic imagination and a commanding stage presence. A Mack Avenue recording artist, she balances an active international touring and recording career with her role as a full-time professor at Berklee College of Music. Fuller’s artistry reflects both rigorous academic training and real-world performance at the highest levels. Fuller’s career reached global audiences through her work with Beyoncé, touring worldwide on the I Am… Sasha Fierce and Beyoncé Experience tours, appearing on major television broadcasts, and performing as a featured soloist at the White House for President Obama. As a bandleader, she has released five albums, including the Grammy-nominated Diamond Cut, produced by Terri Lyne Carrington and featuring luminaries such as Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, James Genus, Bill Stewart, Adam Rogers, and Sam Yahel. Her earlier releases have topped JazzWeek charts and earned widespread critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and leading jazz publications. Shamie Royston is recognized for a pianistic voice that blends traditional soul with contemporary post-bop innovation. She studied under the late Ron Miles at the University of Denver and has been praised by The New York Times as “rhythmically vanguardist.” Her compositions have been commissioned by artists including Dianne Reeves and Terri Lyne Carrington, underscoring her reputation as both a distinctive composer and a deeply musical collaborator. As a recording artist, Royston has released critically lauded albums including her trio debut Portraits and Beautiful Liar, the latter featured on NPR’s Fresh Air and entering the first round of Grammy voting. A committed educator, she has served on faculty at Berklee College of Music, is the Director of the NJYS Jazz Orchestra, and was the inaugural recipient of the Berklee Jazz, Gender and Justice Fellowship for a residency at the UCROSS Foundation. She frequently collaborates with her husband, acclaimed drummer Rudy Royston, while maintaining an active international performance schedule. Together, Tia Fuller and Shamie Royston exemplify artistry with purpose—musicians whose work reflects excellence, depth, and service. Whether on stage, in the studio, or in the classroom, both artists are dedicated to shaping the future of jazz while honoring its traditions, serving as powerful creative lights for audiences and students alike. 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 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.

Nduduzo Makhathini - piano/voice Zwelakhe Duma Bell Le Pere - bass Kabelo Mokhatla - drums Since his Blue Note debut in 2020, South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini has emerged as one of the most compelling spiritual voices in contemporary jazz. A Zulu healer and educator, Makhathini approaches improvisation as a sacred act — music not merely as expression, but as communion. His work has been praised by The New York Times for its authenticity and devotion to ancestral practice at a time when “spiritual jazz” has often been reduced to trend. His latest suite, uNomkhubulwane, reaches even deeper. Named for the Zulu rain goddess associated with balance, fertility, and abundance, the project unfolds as a three-part journey through mourning, cleansing, and transcendence. Drawing on ritual, chant, groove, and luminous lyricism, Makhathini creates music that feels both ancient and urgently present. Joined by bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere and drummer Francisco Mela, Makhathini leads a trio whose interplay is intuitive and transportive. Together, they shape an immersive experience — one that honors African spiritual cosmology while speaking powerfully to modern audiences. This is music as meditation, as prayer, and as invitation. 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: 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.

Ben Levin - piano/vocals Art Gore - drums Candice Ivory - vocals Walter Cash Jr. - bass Joe Polen - saxophones Pianist and composer Ben Levin presents a special evening of blues and jazz featuring Art Gore and special guest Candice Ivory. Known for traditional blues piano, Ben also celebrates the crossover blues/jazz sounds of artists such as Eddie Vinson, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Percy Mayfield. Ben is an international touring artist and has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and Japan. Art Gore was born into a family of musicians, which began his early exposure to music. By age sixteen, he was playing professionally, working with national artists such as Jon Thomas and Amos Milburn. After studying at Berklee College of Music and The New England Conservatory of Music, Art joined Dr. Lonnie Smith, leading to traveling and recording with the Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist George Benson. Art has performed and recorded with countless celebrated artists including Lonnie Listons Smith, who's jazz-fusion classic "Voodoo Woman" is included in the Recommended Recordings of the Decade for the Smithsonian Collection of Jazz in the Seventies. Special guest Grammy nominated vocalist Candice Ivory will join the group. 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.

Colin Palmieri - Alto/Tenor/Soprano Saxophones Spencer Merk - Trombone Chris Caporale - Piano Teddy Mechley - Bass Alex Merk - Drums Ever since Alex Merk began writing music in 2020, he has found composing to be the most special part of being a musician. He has also been particularly fascinated with music written by other drummers, finding such music to be a unique insight into the possibilities of ensemble writing. For this show, Alex will highlight some of his favorite music written by his drumming heroes of past and present, such as Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Louie Bellson, Tony Williams, Victor Lewis, and Brian Blade, as well as his own compositions inspired by these drummer composers. Alex will be joined onstage by his new band Agency. This band consists of musicians who share a strong musical bond and are dedicated to performing all facets of music at the highest level possible. A $15 food/drink 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.

Jeremy Long — alto saxophone Jamie Walkenhauer — alto saxophone Brent Gallaher — tenor saxophone Dan Drees — tenor saxophone Larry Dickson — baritone saxophone Jeff Owen — trombone Clarence Pawn — trombone Brian Stevens — trombone Gary Langhorst — bass trombone Jeff Folkens — trumpet Hank Mautner — trumpet John Zappa — trumpet Kim Pensyl — trumpet Steve Schmidt — piano Mike Sharfe — bass Jim Leslie — drums Cincinnati's legendary Blue Wisp Big Band celebrates its 46th year of swingin' Big Band music at Caffe Vivace. Founded in January 1980 by drummer John Von Ohlen and trumpeter Don Johnson, the Blue Wisp Big Band got its start in and its name from the late Blue Wisp Jazz Club. Von Ohlen, a native of Indianapolis, moved to the Cincinnati area after many years on the road playing with world-class jazz orchestras, most notably those of Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. After hearing all of the fine musicians in the area, he felt there was a need to form a group because most of them “weren’t playing any jazz, which is the reason they started playing in the first place.” He felt the desire to start a “world-class big band and wanted to put it in a tavern, a beer joint.” Don Johnson, who had been on the Cincinnati scene for years, suggested which instrumentalists should play in the band. Von Ohlen states, “Don was the horn connection.” Pianist Steve Schmidt and bassist Michael Sharfe were already playing with Von Ohlen at the Blue Wisp in the Steve Schmidt Trio, Wednesday through Saturday nights, so the rhythm section was easily formed. Von Ohlen remembers approaching Paul and Marjean Wisby, the original owners of the Blue Wisp, with the idea, “Wednesday is a slow night. Why don’t we bring in a big band and blow the roof off the place? It worked real good.”Since its inception, the Blue Wisp Big Band has been the top jazz orchestra in Cincinnati. The hard bop-oriented big band started recording in 1981: first, an LP sponsored by the Cincinnati television station WKRC, and then four for the Mopro label, founded by Fred and Helen Morr, in the 1980s. The Mopro LPs were reissued in the mid -’90s on two CDs on the California label Sea Breeze, with one of the sets recorded in Los Angeles during a West Coast tour in 1984. Through the devoted and hard work of Helen Morr, the LPs were distributed around the country and Europe, garnering notice, good reviews, and airplay around the world. Among the group’s more notable members were trumpeter Tim Hagans and bassist Lynn Seaton. The band continued to perform at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati on Wednesday nights until its closure in the summer of 2014. After a six-month tenure at Japp’s Annex in downtown Cincinnati, a short stint at Pirate’s Den in Westwood, and three years at the Urban Artifact in Northside, the band has a new home at Caffè Vivace in Walnut Hills. 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 Blue Wisp Big Band show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.

Mandy Gaines — vocalist, Brad Myers — guitar Mandy Gaines began singing at an early age in school and church. She holds a B.A. from the College of Wooster in Speech/Arts. She has continued her studies through private vocal instruction and workshops emphasizing oral interpretation, jazz improvisation, vocal technique, theatre, and broadcasting/media studies. Brad Myers is a jazz, rock, and roots musician, composer, teacher, producer, and engineer. He plays acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, and mandolin and sings. A $15 food/drink 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.