Show List

Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

Al West, Jr. w/ Greg Chako Quartet - The Ipanema Project

Al West, Jr. w/ Greg Chako Quartet - The Ipanema Project

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.

Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

Wed, Jul 22

Brian Blade: Drums Jon Cowherd: Piano, Pump Organ Myron Walden: Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet Melvin Butler: Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone Christopher Thomas: Bass From about age nine to age thirteen, Brian Blade played violin in the school orchestra and continued to play until following in the footsteps of his older brother, Brady l. Blade, Jr. who played the drums in the Zion church. During high school, both Brady, Jr. and Brian were students of Dorsey Summerfield, Jr. and performed as part of his professional group called “the Polyphonics”. During this time and through his experience with Mr. Summerfield, Brian began listening to themusic of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Elvin Jones, and Joni Mitchell. In 1988, Brian moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. It was at this time that Brian met Jon Cowherd and the roots of the Fellowship Band began. Both Brian and Jon were able to study and play with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans, including: John Vidacovich, Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, George French, Germaine Bazzle, David Lee, Jr., Alvin Red Tyler, Tony Dagradi and Harold Battiste. There were many inspiring musicians living and visiting New Orleans who helped Brian in his development. Some of these friends are Chris Thomas, Peter Martin, Nicholas Payton, Antoine Drye, Martin Butler, Delfeayo Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Harry Connick, Jr., Gray Mayfield, Marcus Roberts, Victor Goines and Daniel Lanois. In 1998, Brian and Jon Cowherd began recording their own music with the group “The Fellowship”. Band members Chris Thomas, Myron Walden, and Melvin Butler have performed at esteemed venues like the Village Vanguard and festivals such as the Ottawa Jazz Fest, Newport Jazz Fest, and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Over the decades that the band has existed, they have released seven recordings. Their debut, FELLOWSHIP in 1998, PERCEPTUAL in 2000, SEASON OF CHANGES in 2008, LANDMARKS in 2014, BODY AND SHADOW in 2017, LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES in 2022 and KINGS HIGHWAY in 2023. 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.
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

Thu, Jul 23

Brian Blade: Drums Jon Cowherd: Piano, Pump Organ Myron Walden: Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet Melvin Butler: Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone Christopher Thomas: Bass From about age nine to age thirteen, Brian Blade played violin in the school orchestra and continued to play until following in the footsteps of his older brother, Brady l. Blade, Jr. who played the drums in the Zion church. During high school, both Brady, Jr. and Brian were students of Dorsey Summerfield, Jr. and performed as part of his professional group called “the Polyphonics”. During this time and through his experience with Mr. Summerfield, Brian began listening to themusic of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Elvin Jones, and Joni Mitchell. In 1988, Brian moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. It was at this time that Brian met Jon Cowherd and the roots of the Fellowship Band began. Both Brian and Jon were able to study and play with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans, including: John Vidacovich, Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, George French, Germaine Bazzle, David Lee, Jr., Alvin Red Tyler, Tony Dagradi and Harold Battiste. There were many inspiring musicians living and visiting New Orleans who helped Brian in his development. Some of these friends are Chris Thomas, Peter Martin, Nicholas Payton, Antoine Drye, Martin Butler, Delfeayo Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Harry Connick, Jr., Gray Mayfield, Marcus Roberts, Victor Goines and Daniel Lanois. In 1998, Brian and Jon Cowherd began recording their own music with the group “The Fellowship”. Band members Chris Thomas, Myron Walden, and Melvin Butler have performed at esteemed venues like the Village Vanguard and festivals such as the Ottawa Jazz Fest, Newport Jazz Fest, and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Over the decades that the band has existed, they have released seven recordings. Their debut, FELLOWSHIP in 1998, PERCEPTUAL in 2000, SEASON OF CHANGES in 2008, LANDMARKS in 2014, BODY AND SHADOW in 2017, LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES in 2022 and KINGS HIGHWAY in 2023. 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.
Isaiah Sharkey Quartet

Isaiah Sharkey Quartet

Fri, Jul 24

Isaiah Sharkey - Vocals & Guitar

Tim Tribett - Keys

Maurice Fitzgerald - Bass

Eric Johnson - Drums


A native Chicagoan, Isaiah Sharkey spent his early years living in Cabrini Green. Perhaps as a precursor to his future career, he lived with his parents in a row house on a street that is now named for Curtis Mayfield. Coming from a musical household, Isaiah was introduced to music at the age of four. He decided he wanted to be a guitarist and asked his parents to purchase one.


Shortly thereafter, Isaiah started learning music under the close introduction of his father, Michael Sharkey. He would learn about different musical genres/styles from gospel music, which came from growing up in the church, to jazz, R&B, blues, rock and funk music. It wasn't long after that Isaiah would become noticed by other musicians in the Chicago area for being a young, new talent. Soon after, he started doing concerts in the church as well as sitting in local jazz club jams.


At the age of 14, Isaiah, along with his father and brothers, released their first album entitled, "Skyliner." This album displayed Isaiah's ability to play covers and some transcriptions from greats like Wes Montgomery and George Benson. Subsequently, he started his recording career and served as a sideman for gospel artists such as Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. He also toured as lead guitarist with Ronald Isley and recorded two albums with him. In 2009, Isaiah started working with artist D'Angelo on his third album, Black Messiah, which won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Based on his work and contribution to the project, Isaiah received his first Grammy.


If the total amount of beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum, a $20 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.

Brandon Woody

Brandon Woody

Sat, Jul 25

Brandon Woody - trumpet

Troy Long - piano

Michael Saunders - bass

Quincy Phillips - drums


Brandon Woody is a Baltimore-born, Bach-endorsed trumpeter, composer, and bandleader whose music flows from the rich lineage of Black music, including jazz, gospel, improvisation, and beyond, to explore themes of love, resilience, and community. Hailed by The New YorkTimes and Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, Woody signed with the legendary Blue Note Records in November 2024 and released his debut album, For The LoveOf It All, in May 2025. Featuring his longtime band Upendo—TroyLong (keys), Quincy Phillips(drums), and Michael Saunders (bass)—the album showcases Woody’s ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Rooted in Baltimore, Woody has built his career from his hometown, drawing on it's vibrant creative culture and community spirit. His work has received praise across major publications, with DownBeat highlighting his “rich and expressive” tone and the Financial Times noting the album’s emotional range “from gentle lyricism to swaggering virtuosity.” The Washington Post described Woody’s music as “staggeringly self-assured” and “radiating warmth, purpose, and a sense of place,” reflecting both the clarity of his artistic vision and his deep connection to his community.

As a performer, Woody has played venues and festivals including ATL Jazz Fest, The Shed, the August Wilson Center, the University of Maryland, Michigan State University, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Roots Picnic, and the Walters Art Museum, among others. He has collaborated with artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Danilo Pérez, Casey Benjamin, Marcus Gilmore, the Robert Glaspe rBlack Radio Orchestra, Paul Russell, Derrick Hodge, Marc Cary, and Solange Knowles. Woody has also worked with international brands including Calvin Klein, Saucony, Reebok, Eames, Vogue Italia, Plain Jane, and Highsnobiety. His television appearances include Godfather of Harlem (MGM+), Lady in the Lake (Apple TV), and The Bride (Warner Bros.).Dedicated to bridging generations through music, Woody has led masterclasses and workshops at institutions across the country. Through both his performances and community work, he uses music as a tool for healing, connection, and joy.


This performance is co-sponsored by A Tribe For Jazz. https://www.atribeforjazz.org


If the total amount of beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum, a $20 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.