Blue Wisp Big Band featuring Jeff Hamilton

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 swinging big band jazz at Caffè Vivace. Founded in 1980 by drummer John Von Ohlen and trumpeter Don Johnson, the ensemble grew out of the historic Blue Wisp Jazz Club, where Von Ohlen envisioned a world-class jazz orchestra performing weekly in an intimate club setting. Drawing on Cincinnati's deep pool of talent, the band quickly established itself as the region's premier jazz orchestra.

Over the decades, the Blue Wisp Big Band has earned international recognition through recordings, touring, radio airplay, and a tradition of excellence that has featured notable artists such as Tim Hagans and Lynn Seaton. Following the closure of the Blue Wisp Jazz Club in 2014, the band continued its weekly tradition at several Cincinnati venues before finding its current home at Caffè Vivace, where it remains a cornerstone of the city's jazz scene.

Joining the Blue Wisp Big Band for this special performance is acclaimed drummer Jeff Hamilton. Widely regarded as one of the finest jazz drummers of his generation, Hamilton has performed and recorded with legends including Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and Diana Krall. He is a co-founder and co-leader of the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, one of the world's leading contemporary big bands.

Celebrated for his impeccable swing feel, masterful brushwork, and deep connection to the great traditions of jazz drumming, Hamilton brings a lifetime of big band experience to this rare Cincinnati appearance. His performance with the Blue Wisp Big Band promises an evening that honors the rich history of big band jazz while showcasing one of its most respected living masters.

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.