Show List

Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

As Is "Crazy World" Cincinnati Album Release Show

As Is "Crazy World" Cincinnati Album Release Show

Fri, Jun 26

Al Schulman - guitar

Stacey Lynn Schulman - vocalist

Aaron Jacobs - bass

Carmon DeLeone - drums


Described as "nothing short of enchanting" by All About Jazz, As Is is the musical union of Cincinnati-native jazz guitarist and former Cal Collins student Alan Schulman and jazz vocal stylist Stacey Lynn Schulman. The duo will debut their new release "Crazy World" — an expansive mix of jazz repertoire combined with samba, soul and original material. Recorded with Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums, Gil Goldstein on accordion, and Corcoran Holt on bass, "Crazy World" is the follow-up to their Billboard Top 10 charting album "Here's to Life." Their name "As Is" reflects the project's guiding principle: meeting the music — and the moment — exactly where it stands, without nostalgia, novelty, or artifice. "There are fresh new voices emerging who throw change ups into their songbooks and adventurously and creatively pursue giving a tune its full worth. Welcome to As Is!" — Dan Ouellette, Downbeat


Al Schulman — A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Alan Schulman studied with legendary guitarist Cal Collins (Benny Goodman Orchestra) and later became a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene before earning his Master’s degree in Jazz Arranging & Composition from Howard University in Washington, DC. A Thelonious Monk Competition Top-10 finalist, he has appeared with such noted jazz artists as Wynton Marsalis, Geri Allen, Grady Tate, Anita Baker, and Michael Feinstein. Schulman is recognized for his “soft, round tone” (All About Jazz) and a “sparking” guitar presence (DownBeat contributor Dan Ouellette).


Stacey Lynn Schulman — A jazz vocal stylist and native of the New York City area, Stacey Schulman has been performing professionally since childhood, with credits spanning radio, television, film, and theater. Her “alluring, captivating” voice (DownBeat contributor Dan Ouellette) has been described as “fresh and vibrant” (Jazz Mostly), with the versatility and interpretive depth to “summon delicate lace on one song and a bouncy jam on another” (All About 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.

Julia Danielle Quartet

Julia Danielle Quartet

Sat, Jun 27

Julia Danielle - vocalist Ben Tweedt - piano Justin Dawson - bass Tom Buckley - drums Julia Danielle is a dynamic vocalist, arranger, educator, and composer making a significant impact in the scenes of Chicago and New York. In 2022, she won the prestigious International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, which propelled her into the spotlight, leading to performances at the esteemed Blues Alley Jazz Club in Washington, D.C., showcasing her unique voice and engaging stage presence. Her debut album, released in November 2024, has received critical acclaim, with Jazz Weekly describing it as “a fresh voice” with “a folksy wisp that floats with a bohemian glide.” Julia has collaborated with numerous celebrated artists, including Ben Paterson, Clark Sommers, and Sharel Cassity, enriching her musical experience and expanding her creative horizons. A 2024 Luminarts Winner and recognized by DownBeat Magazine as an "Outstanding Vocal Soloist" in its 46th annual Student Music Awards, Julia's talent is widely acknowledged in the community. Currently, Julia is pursuing a Master of Music in Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School, where she is mentored by renowned artists such as Charenee Wade, Gerald Cannon, Kenny Washington, Isaiah J. Thompson, and Elio Villafranca. Her studies focus on vocal interpretation, composition, and improvisation, further refining her artistry. Julia's performance history includes esteemed venues like The Jazz Showcase, Zinc Bar, Chris' Jazz Café, and festivals such as The Hyde Park Jazz Festival, establishing her as a prominent figure on the scene. With a foundation in classical training at Northwestern University and experiences such as touring with the Campanella Children's Choir and Chicago a Cappella, Julia's musical journey began early. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University in 2023, where she explored Black American Music and pedagogy under the guidance of esteemed faculty such as Dana Hall, Scott Hesse, and Dennis Carroll. Julia Danielle continues to evolve as an artist and educator, poised to leave a lasting impact. 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.
Brent Gallaher Quintet

Brent Gallaher Quintet

Tue, Jun 30

Caffè Vivace owner and saxophonist Brent Gallaher returns to the bandstand for a night of straight-ahead jazz rooted in the music of Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and other composers central to the tradition. The focus stays close to the ground—strong melodies, deep time, and real interplay—played in the room it was built for.


He’s joined by Spencer Merk on trombone, Chris Caporale on piano, Peter Gemus on bass, and Alex Merk on drums, a group centered on listening, swing, and collective feel.


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.

Blue Wisp Big Band

Blue Wisp Big Band

Wed, Jul 01

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.
Now Hear This

Now Hear This

Thu, Jul 02

John Zappa — trumpet Brad Myers — guitar Steve Schmidt — keyboard Aaron Jacobs — bass Jason Smart — drums An artful combination of Contemporary jazz with the rhythms of afrobeat and world-beat music, Now Hear This is electric, funky, and organic. The group is comprised of musicians with extensive professional experience, playing the music of various styles, including jazz greats Ignacio Berroa, Benny Golson, Tim Hagens, Fareed Haque, Charlie Hunter, Jeff Hamilton, Warren Vache, Don Braden, and local popular groups including Ray’s Music Exchange, The Blue Wisp Big Band, and Brasilia. The result is a well-balanced blend of the jazz tradition with the experimental elements requisite to find an original approach. Rhythms not typically associated with jazz or American dance provide their music with an exotic flavor while maintaining accessibility to audiences through its groovabilty. 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.