Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

Michael Mavridoglou - trumpet

Josh Kline - tenor saxophone

Phil DeGreg - piano

Aaron Jacobs - bass

Tom Buckley - drums

Join Michael “Maddog” Mavridoglou and some of the area’s finest musicians as they explore the undercurrent of the greatest jazz music - the Blues. The blues can take many forms in the jazz idiom, and this fine group will lead you through all the emotion and soul it provides.

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.

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.

Spencer Merk - Trombone

Ben Tweedt - Piano

Sophia Troyer - Vocals and Bass

Alex Merk - Drums

The Troyers and Merks are both musical families from Cincinnati who have a deep love for jazz music. Although they will be without Charlie Merk who currently lives in Germany, this versatile group will play a wide range of styles in their own compositions, as well as provide unique spins on their favorite standards. Join them for a collaboration that has matured over decades of family ties and proves how music is made even more special through close relationships.

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.

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.

Larry Fuller - piano

Jon Hamar - bass

Jeff Hamilton - drums

The night after his appearance with the Blue Wisp Big Band, legendary drummer Jeff Hamilton returns to Caffè Vivace for an intimate trio performance featuring bassist Jon Hamar and pianist Larry Fuller. While Hamilton is celebrated worldwide for his work with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Diana Krall, many jazz fans consider the trio setting to be where his artistry shines brightest.

Joining Hamilton are two of the most respected musicians on today's jazz scene. Bassist Jon Hamar is known for his deep swing, lyrical sound, and longstanding collaborations with jazz masters across the country. Pianist Larry Fuller, a former member of the Ray Brown Trio, has established himself as one of the premier straight-ahead jazz pianists of his generation, combining dazzling technique with a profound command of the Great American Songbook and the bebop tradition.

Together, Hamilton, Fuller, and Hamar represent the highest level of modern mainstream jazz—music rooted in swing, melody, and spontaneous interaction. Audiences can expect an evening of inspired trio playing from three musicians who embody the timeless tradition of jazz while bringing their own unmistakable voices to the bandstand.

For jazz lovers, opportunities to hear artists of this caliber in a room as intimate as Caffè Vivace are exceedingly rare. This special engagement promises a memorable evening of world-class jazz performed exactly as it was meant to be heard: up close, personal, and alive in the moment.

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.