Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows
Thu, Jul 16
Phil DeGreg - piano
Aaron Jacobs - bass
John Taylor - drums
Celebrate the timeless music of Antonio Carlos Jobim with the Phil DeGreg Trio in an evening devoted to the elegance and subtle swing of Brazilian jazz. Jobim’s melodies—lyrical, intimate, and instantly recognizable—helped define the sound of bossa nova and continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Pianist Phil DeGreg is joined by Aaron Jacobs on bass and John Taylor on drums, forming a trio that brings both sensitivity and quiet authority to this repertoire. Together, they explore classics like The Girl from Ipanema, Corcovado, and Wave, along with lesser-known gems, all delivered with a refined touch that suits the room at Caffè Vivace.
This is music that invites you to lean in and listen—subtle, sophisticated, and quietly captivating. An ideal night for those who appreciate melody, nuance, and the enduring beauty of Jobim’s songbook.
Phil DeGreg is a Cincinnati-based pianist who has made his mark in jazz over the past four decades as a recording artist, composer, and pedagogue. He has toured with The Woody Herman Orchestra and performed with Randy Brecker, Ira Sullivan, Claudio Roditi, J.J. Johnson, Harry Allen, Conrad Herwig, and many others. He has released 12 albums as a leader.
As an educator, Phil retired after 27 years as a Professor of Jazz Studies at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He continues to teach private students and master classes locally and worldwide and has taught with Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops for 36 years.
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.
Fri, Jul 17
Virginia MacDonald - clarinet
Alex Goodman - guitar
Mark Lewandowski - bass
Maria Marmarou - drums
“[Virginia’s] playing is exemplary, with technical infallibility, a full focused sound, and dexterity reminiscent of Eddie Daniels. Her improvised lines are equally engaging, putting one in mind of what a young Branford Marsalis was pushing in the ’80s. It is refreshing to hear the clarinet making its mark so effectively in a contemporary jazz setting.” – Charles Rees, London Jazz News
Juno Award-winning clarinetist Virginia MacDonald is a leading voice of her generation, known for her lyrical, soulful approach. Based in New York and originally from Toronto, she performs widely across North America and Europe, appearing at venues such as Birdland, Smalls, Ronnie Scott’s, and Dizzy’s, as well as major international jazz festivals.
An in-demand bandleader, sidewoman, and composer, MacDonald has worked with artists including Michael Dease, Dick Oatts, Kirk Lightsey, Eddie Henderson, and Jerry Bergonzi. She is a frequent collaborator with Michael Dease and co-leads projects with trumpeter Joe Magnarelli and bass clarinetist Todd Marcus.
Her debut album In Search Of… (Cellar Music, 2026) features Geoffrey Keezer, Ira Coleman, Curtis Nowosad, and Laura Anglade. She is also a member of the Canadian Jazz Collective, whose album Septology earned a 2024 Juno nomination.
MacDonald has received numerous honors, including first prize at the 2020 International Clarinetist Corona Competition, and has appeared as a featured soloist with the Orchestre National de Jazz de Montréal.
In addition to performing on over twenty recordings, she is an active educator, with guest residencies at institutions including Princeton University, McGill University, and the San Francisco Conservatory, and serves on faculty at the Brevard Music Center.
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 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.
Sat, Jul 18
Piano/Vocals - Ben Levin
Drums - Art Gore
Bass - Walter Cash Jr.
Tenor/Baritone saxophone - Joe Polen
Ben Levin is a pianist, organist, and vocalist based in Cincinnati, OH. He has released five albums which have included collaborations with legendary blues artists including Lil' Ed, Bob Stroger, and Grammy nominated vocalist Candice Ivory. He is currently featured on the latest album by Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials.
In addition to recording, Ben has curated shows which highlighted important musical heritage in Cincinnati, including the legacy of King Records and Mamie Smith. Ben continues to record and tour and has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and Japan.
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.
Tue, Jul 21
Al West, Jr. - vocalist
Greg Chako - guitar
Wayne Yeager - piano
David Lloyd -bass
Mike Melloy - drums
Caffè Vivace Jazz Lounge Welcomes The Ipanema Project — A New Summer Series Celebrating the Songs of Jobim & the Bossa Nova Tradition
Cincinnati's own Al West, Jr. and the Greg Chako Quartet are back at Caffè Vivace Jazz Lounge — but this summer, something new is in the air.
After three years of memorable performances at Cincinnati's most beloved intimate venues, this acclaimed ensemble is stepping into fresh creative territory as The Ipanema Project — a dedicated exploration of the timeless songs of Antônio Carlos Jobim and the rich bossa nova tradition that changed the world of music forever.
Think warm Brazilian nights, the gentle swing of the violão, and melodies that have moved hearts from Rio de Janeiro to the jazz clubs of the world. From "Garota de Ipanema" to "Corcovado" to "Águas de Março", The Ipanema Project brings these iconic songs to life with the elegance, soul, and musicianship that Caffè Vivace audiences have come to love.
This summer, let the music take you south.
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.
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