Kathy Wade — vocalist Julie Spangler — piano Candace Okuwobi — bass Melvin Broach — drums Don’t miss an evening reveling in women in Jazz featuring Kathy Wade, vocals; Julie Spangler, pianist with CSO Pops; Jazz phenom, Cadence Okuwobi, bass, and the legendary Melvin Broach, drums. From sizzle to sass, ballads to blues, join us for a musical night to remember. Renowned international jazz vocalist and recording artist Kathy Wade, a Top Music Influencer in the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, has been a popular Cincinnati performer for over 40 years. A two-time regional Emmy® award winner, she has sung in concerts across the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. Kathy opened for the legendary Eartha Kitt, Dionne Warwick, Dame Cleo Laine, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, Anita Baker, Alex Bugnon, Kenny G, Whitney Houston, David Sanborn, George Benson, Al. Jarreau, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Will Downing, and Ramsey Lewis. Kathy debuted with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra in July 2021 as a guest performer with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra with former conductor Keith Lockhart and the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra won rave reviews for their work in Ain’t Misbehavin’, the 60s review Beehive; Crowns at Tony recipient Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; and Crowns at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis; Suessical, Jr., the world premiere of The Wiz, Jr. with the Children’s Theater of Cincinnati and guest performer in the national tour of The Vagina Monologues. Kathy is the 2023 Ohio Governor’s Awards for the Arts honoree in Arts Administration and presenter at the Oxford University, Oxford, UK World Literacy Summit. She co-founded Learning Through Art, Inc., a nonprofit organization celebrating 32 years of building resilient communities through art. A graduate of Xavier University with a master’s in arts administration from UC’s CCM, Kathy is the 2024 University of Cincinnati Marian A. Spencer Mosaic Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Kathy serves on Xavier University's Board of Trustees and CCMpower Board. 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. 

Tristen Krueger — guitar Andy Smith — organ/piano Jack Early — bass Dione Howard— drums Join the Tristen Krueger Quartet for a night of jazz, blues, and soul-inspired music, including originals and music from artists like John Scofield, Soulive, and more. This quartet blends its influences, giving the group a unique, signature sound. There will be a mix of pocket grooves and swing as the Tristen Krueger Quartet brings a lot of energy to the stage. 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. 

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 45th 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. 

Jeff Hamilton — drums Jon Hamar — bass Tadataka Unno — piano Jeff Hamilton was born in Richmond, Indiana. He attended Indiana University and later studied with John Von Ohlen. Hamilton was influenced by Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, “Philly” Joe Jones, and Shelly Manne. In 1974, he received his first major break by playing with the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He then joined Lionel Hampton’s Band until 1975, when he, along with bassist John Clayton, became a member of the Monty Alexander Trio. He attained a childhood goal in 1977 when he joined Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, with whom he made several recordings. In 1978, he was offered a position in the L.A. 4 with Ray Brown, Bud Shank, and Laurindo Almeida. He recorded 6 albums with the L.A.4. From 1983 to 1987, he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, the Count Basie Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, and Monty Alexander. Hamilton began his association with the Ray Brown Trio in 1988 and left in March of 1995 to concentrate on his own trio. From 1990-1995, he was also a member of the Oscar Peterson Quartet w/Herb Ellis and Ray Brown. Jeff has released several trio CDs, including the most recent Catch Me If You Can, and a holiday recording, Merry and Bright. The Los Angelous Jazz Society named Hamilton and his musical partner, John Clayton, musicians of the year for 2006. Hamilton has toured with his own trio, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and Diana Krall. The latest CHJO recording, LA Treasures, was nominated for a GRAMMY. Hamilton has been on more than 300 recordings with artists such as Ray Brown, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Mel Torme, John Pizzarelli, Benny Carter, Lalo Schifrin, George Shearing, Dr. John, Clark Terry, Gene Harris, Toshiko Akioshi, Scott Hamilton, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Keely Smith, Bill Holman, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Paul McCartney, Queen Latifah, Gladys Knight, Mark Murphy, Wilford Brimley and Scott Hamilton. He appeared in Diana Krall’s Live in Paris and Rio DVDs. He also appeared in Natalie Cole’s Great Performances PBS special, Unforgettable, and an Oscar Peterson documentary, Life In The Key Of Oscar. He is a four-time winner of Modern Drummer magazine's Readers’ Poll. In 2014, Hamilton was inducted into the Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame. Along with John and Gerald Clayton, Jeff was the 2017 Monterey Jazz Festival Artist In Residence and recipient of the 2018 Louis Armstrong award from the Sarasota Jazz Society. Jeff currently focuses on performing with The Jeff Hamilton Trio, The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and Akiko Tsuruga in an Organ Trio. Jon Hamar was born and raised in Kennewick, Washington, and grew up in a musical family. He began playing the string bass at the age of 11 and continued through public school, participating in the orchestra, jazz band, and the local youth symphony. Jon earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Double Bass Performance from Eastern Washington University under the tutelage of Russian bassist Roma Vayspapir. While in Spokane, Hamar played in University ensembles as well as the Spokane Symphony and the Bob Curnow Big Band. Hamar continued to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he graduated with a Master’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media in 2001. While at Eastman, Jon studied the bass with Jeff Campbell and James VanDemark and worked closely with Harold Danko, Fred Sturm, and Clay Jenkins. Jon has performed with Ernestine Anderson, Benny Golson, Terell Stafford, Pete Christlieb, the Jeff Hamilton Trio, and the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. In 2012, Jon joined the faculty at the Centrum Jazz Workshop under Artistic Director John Clayton, and in 2015, joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee. Hamar is currently Assistant Professor of Bass at the Nathalie L. Haslam School of Music in Knoxville, Tennessee. Jon began performing with the Jeff Hamilton Trio in July of 2018 and recently toured Europe with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton, featuring renowned vocalist Cecil McLaren Salvant. Tadataka Unno, born in 1980 in Tokyo, Japan, is a distinguished jazz pianist with an expressive style. He began playing the piano at the age of four and discovered jazz at the age of nine. Unno studied at Tokyo University of the Arts and was an active member of the Tokyo jazz scene. In 2008, he moved to New York and quickly earned the respect of prominent jazz figures. He became a favorite of jazz legends like Hank Jones, Frank Wess, and Jimmy Cobb. Notably, he was the first and only regular Japanese member of the Jimmy Cobb Trio and the Roy Hargrove Quintet. He has performed with John Pizzarelli, Jimmy Heath, Sadao Watanabe, Houston Person, Frank Wes, Clifton Anderson, Jazzmeia Horn, Winard Harper, Russel Malone, and other jazz greats. Tadataka was featured in the 2021 NHK Special, “This Wonderful World,” and in March 2022, he released “Get My Mojo Back” on Verve Records. It received widespread acclaim as one of Japan’s best-selling jazz albums of the year. In 2025, Jeff Hamilton invited him to join his trio. 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 at least 24 hours prior to the performance's start time. 

Spencer Merk — trombone Josh Kline — tenor saxophone Chris Caporele — piano Justin Dawson — bass Alex Merk — drums Come celebrate the release of Spencer Merk’s “Stories: Big and Small”! You’ll hear the whole album supplemented by rarely-heard Cincinnati compositions and legendary jazz classics! 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. 

Sarah Hanahan — alto saxophone Caelan Cardello — piano Matt Dwonszyk — bass Sam Bolduc — drums Sarah Hanahan is an emerging jazz saxophonist based in New York City and a leading voice in the world of alto saxophone. A graduate of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music (B.A., 2019) and The Juilliard School (M.M., 2022), Sarah has studied with Jazz greats like Abraham Burton, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Billy Drummond, and Marc Cary. Her distinctive style blends tradition with innovation, earning recognition for her dynamic performances and compelling musical voice. Sarah has performed with renowned musicians such as Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nat Reeves, Peter Martin, Steve Davis, Billy Hart, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Marc Cary, Joseph Farnsworth, Peter Washington, and Nicholas Payton. She regularly leads her group at iconic New York venues including Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Birdland, and Zinc Bar. In addition to performing in NYC, Sarah has toured nationally and internationally with her band SH4, as well as with Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Sherrie Miracle and the Diva Orchestra, Joe Farnsworth, and the Grammy-award winning Mingus Big Band. Her debut album, Among Giants, is out now, receiving a 5-star review in Downbeat Magazine and included in their list of Best Albums of the Year for 2024. The album highlights Sarah's bold and expressive sound, featuring a powerhouse rhythm section of Marc Cary, Nat Reeves, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. Sarah’s music bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, blending the timeless elements of jazz with fresh, contemporary ideas. With her unique sound and thoughtful approach, she is shaping the future of jazz, inspiring listeners to embrace both the roots and evolution of the genre. 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. 

Sophia Troyer - vocals/bass Kaleb Swedlund - tenor saxophone/clarinet Chris Caporale - piano Alex Merk - drums Step back in time with the Sophia Troyer Quartet for an evening of timeless elegance, sultry rhythms, and sophisticated charm as they celebrate the legendary Cole Porter. Known for his witty lyrics, unforgettable melodies, and unmatched contribution to the Great American Songbook, Porter’s music comes alive in this intimate and heartfelt tribute. From romantic ballads like “So in Love” to playful favorites like “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)” and “Too Darn Hot,” the Quartet brings their own modern flair and jazz sensibility to these beloved classics. Join us for a night of pure musical magic, as Sophia Troyer’s warm vocals and the ensemble’s dynamic arrangements transport you to a golden era of song. Sophia Troyer graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is studying at the University of Cincinnati- College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in their jazz studies program, focusing on upright bass. Sophia recently won first prize in the Vocal Division of the 2023 Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards at the Aronoff Center. Chris Caporale is a Cincinnati-based jazz pianist and educator at Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University. He graduated from CCM in 2022. His performance accolades include being the Yamaha prize winner and a finalist in the 2022 American Jazz Pianist Competition and receiving an honorable mention for piano at Jazz At Lincoln Center’s 2022 Jack Rudin competition. Alex Merk is a drummer, pianist, composer, and educator who has lived in Cincinnati his whole life. He recently graduated from CCM and won Downbeat Magazine's Outstanding Undergraduate Composition for Small Ensemble in 2024. Kaleb Swedlund is a native of Dayton, Ohio, and is a rising star in the Cincinnati jazz scene. As a recent Jazz Studies graduate from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Kaleb infuses each note with his passion and skill, performing in big bands and smaller groups throughout town. 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. 

Eric Wurzelbacher —Saxophones Justin Dawson — Bass Phillip Tipton — Drums YOUNGBLOODS TRIO invites listeners of all walks of life into the realm of free jazz and improvisation. The well-known melodies serve as an anchor that allows the trio and the listener to comfortably ride any magnitude of wave that naturally passes by in the moment. 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. 

Paul Patterson — violin Brian Lovely — guitar George Cunningham — guitar Don Aren — bass Guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli fronted the Quintette of the Hot Club of France in and around Paris from 1934 to 1939. They constituted the first generation of European jazz musicians. The Hot Club blended backgrounds in traditional gypsy and European popular and classical music with the then-new sounds of American jazz artists like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Benny Goodman to create a new musical genre, now often called "gypsy jazz." The Faux Frenchmen adapt the Hot Club’s instrumentation and style in forging their own re-Americanized take on gypsy jazz. Their four CD releases, Faux Frenchmen (2007), Oblivion (2008), The Swing Shift (2010), and 3 AM Waltz (2011), bend the relationship between American and European jazz, utilizing elements of both to create a distinctive stylistic voice. 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. 

Dan Wilson — guitar Clifford Barnes — Hammond organ Dave Throckmorton — drums Growing up in Akron, Ohio, Dan Wilson spent the majority of his youth within the church community, where his musical path began. Traces of his major guitar influences – including Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and George Benson, to name a few – can be discerned through his playing. Still, his musical identity has been shaped by a diverse range of influences, including gospel and blues, as well as traditional jazz, hip-hop, and horn players such as Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson. After graduating from Hiram College, Wilson made his recording debut with pianist Joe McBride. He performed to worldwide acclaim with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride’s Tip City, eventually recording his debut as a leader, To Whom It May Concern. Wilson has had the honor of sharing the stage with jazz greats including Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, René Marie, Jeff Hamilton, David Sanborn, and Dave Stryker. He also teaches jazz guitar and music theory through private lessons. Wilson’s career took him on an exploratory journey into foundations laid down by the guitar/organ tradition, eventually leading to an invitation to perform with jazz great Joey DeFrancesco’s trio quartet, with which Wilson went on to earn a GRAMMY® Award nomination with for DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom album (Mack Avenue Records, 2017). This collaboration enabled the guitarist to infuse his style into the musical prowess and respect that DeFrancesco had earned throughout his career. Wilson had been playing with DeFrancesco for a few years when he met bassist, composer, arranger, Christian McBride. From there, Wilson went on to tour with McBride’s trio Tip City, eventually leading McBride to serve as producer on "Vessels of Wood and Earth" and release the album on his newly formed imprint Brother Mister Productions through Mack Avenue Music Group. 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. 

Paul Patterson — classical/12-string guitars Justin Dawson — bass Dan Dorff — drums/percussion Sylvia Mitchell — violin/accordion A night of Paul’s original music with flavors of Brazilian jazz guitar and ambient 12-string guitar. 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. 

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 45th 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. 

Brooks Giles III - saxophones & vocals Clay Moore — guitar Tom Covello — bass Kiko Sebrian — drums International Saxophonist/Vocalist Brooks Giles III has taken his high energetic musical mixture of Jazz and Blues to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, China, Seoul, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Bangkok, Thailand, Myanmar and Santiago, Chile, where he recorded his CD, “Romance de Los Andes” with “The Pancho Aranda Trio”. His first CD, “Somewhere On Earth, The Bangkok Sessions”, was released in 2002. That same year, Brooks and his ensemble were featured on the first-ever “Hennessy X.O. Smooth & Mellow Jazz Tour”. After rave reviews, the ensemble was invited to perform again in 2003. Along with leading his ensembles, Brooks has performed with Donald Byrd, The Drifters, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Charli Persip’s Super Sound, Eldee Young, The Apollo Theater Band, and The Harlem Renaissance. Orchestra, The Peter Duchin Orchestra, and others. After obtaining his M.F.A. from Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens, New York, Brooks toured Europe with the Broadway musical “Bubbling Brown Sugar” from 1993 to 1994. In 1999, Brooks made his acting debut in the Woody Allen film “Sweet & Lowdown”. In 2005, he performed on the soundtrack and acted in the DVD of the original stage play “It’s A Hard Bop Life” by Gregory Charles Royal. Since 2018, Brooks’ ensembles have been regularly featured performers at The Annual Fort Harrod/Heritage Jazz Festival in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and WORLDFEST in Louisville, Kentucky. 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 resell your seats with no refund. Refunds must be requested at least 24 hours before the start of the performance. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance. 

Camille Saba Smith — vocalist Zack Karp — piano Jack Early — bass Melvin Broach — drums Join us at Caffè Vivace on Friday, August 22, 2025, for Camille Saba Smith 4-Tet — The Soul Pearl Sings and Swings. With her luminous voice and heartfelt delivery, Camille Saba Smith blends jazz tradition with personal expression, offering fresh takes on classic tunes and soulful originals. This late-summer performance promises an evening of elegance, swing, and storytelling—all in the intimate setting of Cincinnati’s premier jazz listening room. Sassy, irrepressible, and wonderfully profound…Cleveland native Camille “Saba” Smith is a FORCE. A powerhouse of talent, Smith is the quintessential slash artist. Blessed with a five-octave range, she is a self-taught vocalist. Singing brings her joy and has fascinated her for over twenty years! Camille founded the musical ensemble “Saba Jazz” and other groups. She is in demand as an accomplished, versatile studio vocalist and band leader. She has also collaborated with several renowned artists worldwide. Smith believes that the key to making great music is diversity. Being well-versed in a variety of genres has taken her a long way. She has an acute ability to sense the changing needs of her listeners. She considers her performances a vehicle to connect with the divine while sharing inspiring messages with the world. 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. 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. 

Mike Wade — trumpet Dwayne Irvin — tenor saxophone George Simon — guitar Peter Gemus — bass Francis Wyatt — drums Charlie Schweitzer — percussion Mike Wade and The Mighty Groovers will pay tribute to some of the GREAT Smooth/Contemporary & Acid Jazz musicians of the last twenty years: Marcus Miller, Najee, Russell Gunn, Miles Davis, Kenny Garrett, Pieces of a Dream, and Grover Washington! During his career, Mike Wade was named one of the top ten unsigned jazz brass players, as rated by Jazziz Magazine (1997). His composition, “Blues for Shorty Bop,” was chosen for inclusion in the Jazziz on Disc collection. He has performed and recorded with such artists as David “Fathead” Newman, Clark Terry, Javon Jackson, Bobby Watson, Gary Bartz, Mulgrew Miller, Rene Marie, Don Braden, and Steve Wilson. Steve Wilson has said of Mike, “Mike Wade has secured his place among the legacy of great trumpeters…people get ready!” Mulgrew Miller has said of Mike, “Mike Wade is a very exciting and creative jazz trumpeter. He is also a very charismatic bandleader. He is dedicated and ambitious. It was a pleasure to play with him”. Craig Bailey has said of Mike, “Mike Wade is one the most inspiring musicians of the new millennium. He has the fire and energy that it takes to be a great leader as well as a great artist. His hustle ability on and off the horn will take him to many new horizons. He is a name not to forget and a trumpet player not to miss.” 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. Refunds must be within 24 hours of the start of the performance. 

Tim McCord — tenor saxophone John Zappa — trumpet Michael Sharfe — bass Phillip Tipton — drums Join us for a re-imagined journey through the iconic compositions of John Coltrane from the 1950's and 60's. The members of the Four Strangers Quartet have performed extensively as leaders and sidemen throughout the tri-state region with groups such as the Blue Wisp Big Band, Now Hear This, Mambo Combo, and many others. 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. 

Kosta Brunson — trombone Andrew Brown — saxophones Zach Karp — piano Teddy Mechley — bass Aaron Coffenberry — drums The Brown-Brunson quintet, colloquially known as the AB/KB, is a group that focuses on original compositions and arrangements from the jazz greats. Created by Kosta Brunson and Andrew Brown, this group aims to broaden original ideas while also studying the music of the masters. Their dedication to innovation and tradition makes their performances timeless and forward-thinking. 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. 

Ralph DiSylvestro — trumpet Josh Kline — 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. 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. 

Chris Potter — tenor saxophone Matt Brewer — bass Kendrick Scott — drums A world-class soloist, accomplished composer, and formidable bandleader, saxophonist Chris Potter has emerged as a leading light for his generation. Down Beat called him “One of the most studied (and copied) saxophonists on the planet,” while Jazz Times identified him as “a figure of international renown.” Jazz sax elder statesman Dave Liebman called him simply “one of the best musicians around,” a sentiment shared by the readers of Down Beat in voting him second only to tenor sax great Sonny Rollins in the magazine’s 2008 Readers Poll. A potent improviser and the youngest musician ever to win Denmark’s Jazzpar Prize, Potter’s impressive discography includes 15 albums as a leader and sideman appearances on over 100 albums. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his solo work on “In Vogue,” a track from Joanne Brackeen’s 1999 album Pink Elephant Magic. He was prominently featured on Steely Dan’s Grammy-winning album from 2000, Two Against Nature. He has performed or recorded with many leading names in jazz, including Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, John Scofield, the Mingus Big Band, Jim Hall, Paul Motian, Dave Douglas, and Ray Brown, among others. 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 at least 24 hours before the start of the performance. 

Michael Mavridoglou — trumpet Josh Kline — tenor saxophone Dan Karlsberg — piano Justin Dawson — bass Josiah Wolf — drums Today’s Duke dives into the music of Duke Ellington with bold, modern twists that bring his genius into the now. Trumpeter Michael Mavridoglou & Friends take Ellington’s timeless compositions and rework them with sharp grooves, fresh harmonies, and fearless improvisation. It’s a tribute that doesn’t look back—it pushes forward. 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.