Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

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.

After a sold-out night at Caffè Vivace in July, Al West, Jr. is returning on Friday, August 21 for a very different kind of evening.

This time, he is bringing bossa nova back to its most intimate form:

One voice. One guitar.

Al will be joined by Brazilian guitarist Jorge Zilio for a special evening celebrating the music and legacy of bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto — the artist whose quietly revolutionary voice, guitar and rhythm helped change Brazilian music forever.

Expect songs of Jobim and the Brazilian songbook, presented with the intimacy, space and understated swing at the heart of the bossa nova tradition.

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.

Mandy Gaines - vocalist

Dan Karlsberg - piano

Justin Dawson - bass

Phillip Tipton - drums

Vocalist Mandy Gaines returns to Caffè Vivace for Classic Ladies of Jazz, an evening celebrating the timeless artistry of the women who helped define the sound of jazz. Drawing from the songbooks of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, and more, Gaines brings warmth, swing, and deep emotional connection to music that continues to resonate across generations.

Joining Mandy for the evening are Dan Karlsberg on piano, Justin Dawson on bass, and Phillip Tipton on drums—three of Cincinnati’s finest musicians, bringing elegance, groove, and sensitivity to every tune. Together, the quartet will move effortlessly from intimate ballads to swinging classics, capturing the sophistication and spirit of jazz’s golden era in the warm, close-listening atmosphere of CV.

Mandy Gaines began singing at an early age in school and church. She holds a B.A. from the College of Wooster in Speech/Arts. She has continued her studies through private vocal instruction and workshops emphasizing oral interpretation, jazz improvisation, vocal technique, theatre, and broadcasting/media studies.

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.

Scott Belck — trumpet

Rick VanMatre — tenor saxophone/clarinet

Vaughn Weister — trombone

Brian Cashwell — piano

Chris Berg — bass

Jim Leslie — drums

Hailing from the vibrant musical tapestry of Cincinnati, the Limehouse Ramblers are a dynamic ensemble dedicated to the spirited sounds of New Orleans jazz. Led by the incomparable Scott Belck, a maestro of trumpet and musical direction and the director of the acclaimed CCM Jazz program, this band embodies the infectious energy and soulful melodies that define the genre.

Founded on a shared passion for traditional jazz, the Limehouse Ramblers have carved out a niche in the Cincinnati music scene, captivating audiences with their tight rhythms, improvisational prowess, and unmistakable joie de vivre. Their performances are a celebration of musical heritage, weaving together elements of Dixieland, swing, and blues into a seamless tapestry of sound.

Whether they're playing in intimate jazz clubs, at local festivals, or on stages across the Midwest, the Limehouse Ramblers deliver performances that are as electrifying as they are soul-stirring. Their music is a testament to the enduring legacy of New Orleans jazz, honoring its rich history while injecting a fresh, contemporary spirit.

Join the Limehouse Ramblers on a musical journey through the heart and soul of New Orleans jazz. With each note they play, they invite you to experience the infectious rhythm.

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.