Caffe Vivace's Upcoming Shows

On the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane's birth—September 23, 1926—Caffè Vivace welcomes acclaimed tenor saxophonist Gregory Tardy for a special evening honoring one of the most influential artists in the history of American music. Joined by pianist Dan Karlsberg, bassist Justin Dawson, and drummer Phillip Tipton, Tardy will explore selections from throughout Coltrane's remarkable career—from the hard-swinging intensity of Blue Train and Giant Steps to the spiritual depth and lyrical beauty that defined his later work.

A longtime presence on the international jazz scene, Gregory Tardy has performed and recorded with many of the music's most respected artists, including Elvin Jones, Andrew Hill, Tom Harrell, and Dave Douglas. His powerful sound, deep blues roots, and adventurous spirit make him uniquely suited to celebrate Coltrane's enduring legacy. Tardy brings both scholarship and soul to the music, honoring the tradition while speaking with a distinctive voice of his own.

Few artists transformed jazz as profoundly as John Coltrane. From his groundbreaking harmonic innovations to his deeply spiritual approach to improvisation, Coltrane's music continues to inspire audiences and musicians around the world. This centennial celebration will revisit beloved classics, explore lesser-known gems, and pay tribute to a body of work that remains as vital today as ever.

Whether you're a lifelong admirer of John Coltrane or discovering his music for the first time, this special performance promises an evening of passion, creativity, and world-class jazz in the intimate listening-room setting of Caffè Vivace.

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.

Nate Smith - drums

Hailey Niswanger - alto saxophone

Chris Morrisey - bass

James Francies - piano/keys/synth

Nate Smith is a GRAMMY AWARD-winning polymath musician — bandleader, composer, producer, and virtuosic drummer — whose groundbreaking work as a recording artist and performer in multiple genres has made him a unique figure in popular culture and one of the most in-demand players of our generation.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia and a devoted student of music since his teenage years, Smith was invited by Betty Carter to join her legendary Jazz Ahead program, performing on drums at New York’s Blue Note with Carter at the age of 20. Smith began his career as a professional songwriter and producer in 2001 with Michael Jackson’s “Heaven Can Wait.” In 2003, Smith joined Dave Holland’s jazz band and toured the world. And in 2008, Smith began his recording career, first as a solo artist and later with his band,KINFOLK. Smith received two GRAMMY nominations in 2017 for KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere, for his composition “Home Free (for Peter Joe)” — Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella and Best Instrumental Composition. As part of the Dave Holland Octet, Smith received another nomination in 2011 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

Over the years, Nate Smith has collaborated and toured with renowned artists like Brittany Howard, Pat Metheny, Ravi Coltrane, Van Hunt, Childish Gambino, Norah Jones, Jon Batiste, Vulfpeck, Lauren Daigle, The Fearless Flyers, Chris Potter, Kiefer, CARRTOONS, Charlie Hunter, and Kurt Elling. He’s graced the cover of Modern Drummer magazine, and provided the backbeat for Late Night with Seth Meyers’ house band.

In recent years, through a series of viral videos, Nate Smith has emerged as a new kind of influencer: a popular teacher who makes complex rhythmic principles simple. That role expanded with Smith’s Pocket Change project in 2018 — a combination breakbeat album and transcription book; and a follow up, Pocket Change 2: Mad Currency, in 2023.

Nate Smith conceived his latest album, LIVE ACTION, as a producer-led project in the manner of Quincy Jones. Smith explains: “It was a way to activate all of these relationships that I've been building over the last five or six years since the pandemic, many of them through social media.” The album features performances from horn players Josh Johnson and Marquis Hill; the rapper JSWISS; guitarists Charlie Hunter and Lionel Loueke; bassists Michael League, Ben Williams, and CARRTOONS; keyboardists DJ Harrison and Keifer; the group säje and vocalist Jermaine Holmes; and Lalah Hathaway, who sings an unsurprisingly daring cover of “Automatic,” the 1984 hit for The Pointer Sisters, reharmonizing and recontextualizing the track alongside Smith. Even though the album is collaborative, Nate Smith keeps the sound cohesive through discipline: “I wanted to make a record that sounded like it was recorded on a cassette in my bedroom,” he says. “I limited my options. I used analog gear. I used the same instruments throughout the album. I did two or three takes of each element, no copy and pastes or anything like that. All of the instruments on the album are played live, nothing is programmed or sequenced.” It is from this ethos that LIVE ACTION derives its name, and it is that spirit that makes Nate Smith himself a sought-after collaborator and one of music’s most creative minds.

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.

Lovell Bradford — piano

Lovell “Skip” Bradford Jr. — bass

Malcolm Charles — drums

Join acclaimed pianist Lovell Bradford for an evening celebrating the extraordinary music of jazz master Mulgrew Miller. Revered for his lyrical touch, impeccable swing, and profound sense of melody, Miller left an enduring mark on modern jazz as both a pianist and composer. Bradford's soulful artistry and deep respect for the jazz tradition make him an ideal interpreter of this timeless repertoire.

Throughout his remarkable career, Mulgrew Miller performed with many of the greatest names in jazz, including Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Betty Carter, Woody Shaw, Tony Williams, Ron Carter, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Equally admired as a sideman, bandleader, and educator, Miller's compositions and recordings continue to inspire pianists around the world with their elegance, harmonic sophistication, and emotional depth.

This special performance will explore music from across Miller's celebrated career, highlighting the beautiful melodies, infectious swing, and expressive storytelling that made him one of the most beloved pianists of his generation. Whether you're discovering his music for the first time or returning to a longtime favorite, this promises to be an unforgettable evening of world-class jazz in the intimate setting of Caffè Vivace.

About Lovell Bradford

Lovell Bradford is a renowned Charlotte, North Carolina–based jazz pianist, educator, and bandleader whose musical voice seamlessly blends the traditions of gospel, jazz, and R&B. A native of Gary, Indiana, Bradford began playing in church under the guidance of his grandmother, whose influence laid the foundation for a lifetime in music. He later studied at Central State University in Ohio before launching his professional career in Columbus and ultimately establishing himself as one of the leading figures on the Charlotte jazz scene.

An accomplished performer, Bradford has shared the stage with jazz luminaries including Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Slide Hampton, and Wes Anderson. In addition to leading his own quartet, he serves as an adjunct professor of piano at Davidson College and is an educator with JazzArts Charlotte. His artistry can also be heard on numerous acclaimed jazz and gospel recordings, reflecting a career dedicated to both performance and education.

A $15 food/drink minimum applies per person, per set. Tickets are non-refundable, with a one-time transfer available when requested at least 24 hours in advance. Check-in within 15 minutes of set time is required to hold seats.