Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

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.

The Studio Big Band has been the home for Cincinnati’s finest musicians ever since drummer and leader Carmon DeLeone formed it back in 1967. Jazz greats like Jimmy McGary, Michael Moore, Tim Hagans, Steve Schmidt, Gordon Brisker, Lynn Seaton, Wilbert Longmire, and many more have been a part of the Studio Big Band, along with countless other Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame inductees.

The band has performed with world-class jazz soloists like Clark Terry, Joe Williams, and Nancy Wilson. Its exceptional library of music features the compositions and arrangements of David Matthews, conductor and arranger for James Brown, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Julian Lennon, Nina Simone, Bonnie Raitt, and Paul McCartney.

Carmon DeLeone, known as “Cincinnati’s Resident Conductor” and host of his long-running popular radio program “Sunday Morning Music Hall,” has not only conducted orchestras at New York’s Carnegie Hall and all over the world, but has been a drummer on recordings with James Brown, and in concerts with Phil Woods, Jack Sheldon, “Blue” Lou Marini, Dakota Staton, and Cal Collins. He has also toured with Henry Mancini, Alan Sherman, Juliet Prowse, and the New York State Theatre of Lincoln Center.

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.