Scott Belck — trumpet Bill Prince — clarinet Vaughn Wiester — trombone Brian Cashwell — piano Chris Berg — bass Jim Leslie— drums Cincinnati's newly formed all-star Traditional jazz band led by trumpeter Scott Belck. 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. 

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. 

José James is both a conductor and conduit. Across 17 years as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and producer — not to mention co-head of the fearless Rainbow Blonde Records since 2018 — he’s dived deep, over and over again, into genres, eras, scenes, and songbooks, exploring with the verve of a reverent musicologist and then churning it all up with the confidence of a master practitioner. Blessed with a silken baritone that sounds classic against any backdrop, James first turned heads on his 2008 debut, The Dreamer, by subtly swirling contemporary jazz with hip-hop instrumentation. As it turned out, mixing those two fluid, frenetic, and frequently time-traveling strains set off a deeply soulful discography that knows no bounds. There was his stunning Blue Note breakthrough No Beginning No End (2013), recorded with fellow genre upsetters like Pino Palladino and Robert Glasper. There was an album of standards, For All We Know (2010); the Rock-addled While You Were Sleeping (2014); then, he ditched the band and became a modern R&B star for Love in a Time of Madness (2017). He’s also taken a Method approach to cover projects — even matching his wardrobe to his subjects’ worlds — like 2015’s Yesterday I Had the Blues (Billie Holiday), 2018’s Lean On Me (Bill Withers), and 2023’s On & On (Erykah Badu). He’s released dynamic live LPs, a Christmas set, and a four-album series inspired by hooky, funky, disco-dipped songcraft of the ’70s, culminating in his latest, 1978: Revenge of the Dragon (2025). That last one is as immediate, unpredictable, and vibrant as anything James has made, affirming the mantra in the lead single’s title: “They Sleep, We Grind.” 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. 

Andy Brown — guitar Dan Drees — tenor saxophone Rob Allgeyer — Hammond organ Ben Cliness — drums Join us at Caffè Vivace on May 16 as we welcome the Andy Brown Organ Trio, featuring Cincinnati saxophonist Dan Drees! A master of classic jazz guitar, Andy Brown brings his deep swing, refined touch, and Chicago flair back to the city where his journey began. With the soulful drive of the organ trio format, this promises to be an unforgettable night of straight-ahead jazz at its finest. Secure your seats now! 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. 

Peter Bernstein — guitar Steve Schmidt — piano Justin Dawson — bass Jim Leslie — drums The jazz guitarist, among the most sought-after in the New York area, has a feather-light touch, an encyclopedic knowledge of chords, and the ability to play standards like he’s inventing them on the spot. - The Los Angeles Daily News Mr. Bernstein is a fluidly improvising guitarist in the post-bop tradition, with control over harmony and a beautiful sound. - The New York Times Peter Bernstein produces a warm, ringing, muscular tone that echoes that of giants such as Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Kenny Burrell. - Jazziz Jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time, he has participated in over 80 recordings and numerous festivals, concerts, and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has released nine albums and a DVD, Live at Smoke. He got his first break while attending the New School when he met the legendary guitarist Jim Hall. Hall asked Peter to participate in his Invitational Concert as part of the 1990 JVC Jazz Festival. The event featured such guitarists as John Scofield and Pat Metheny and was released as Live at Town Hall Vol. 2. by Music Masters. Hall noted that Peter “…has paid attention to the past and future. He is the most impressive guitarist I’ve heard. He plays the best for swing, logic, feel, and taste.” Also in 1990, Peter Bernstein was discovered by alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson and took part in the first of four recordings with him. He was a regular member of his group throughout the 1990s. “Some people just have it,” Donaldson said. “…most of the time, you have to teach someone what to do, but Peter knows it all.” Peter has also enjoyed long musical associations with legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb (Cobb’s Mob), organist Larry Goldings, and drummer Bill Stewart as a member of their highly acclaimed trio and the New York Times called them “the best organ trio of the last decade”. Together, they recorded a dozen records, all displaying their distinctive sound, whether exploring the depths of jazz standards or playing their original compositions. From 1995 through 1997, Peter played on Redman’s Freedom in the Groove CD as a Joshua Redman's band member. He played with Diana Krall’s quartet from 1999 through 2001 and with Dr. Lonnie Smith, the legendary organist who made his debut on the George Benson Cookbook albums. He has also recorded five CDs with organist Melvin Rhyne, known for his association with Wes Montgomery. In addition, Peter has appeared in groups led by Nicholas Payton, Sonny Rollins, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, and Eric Alexander. His current projects include his recent album, Monk, which was recorded for the newly reactivated Xanadu label. Together with Doug Weiss and Bill Stewart, he put their own spin on the rich legacy of Thelonious Monk. In September, Bernstein released a solo guitar record, Solo Guitar—Live at Smalls (Smalls Live). 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. 

Brent Gallaher — tenor saxophone Michael Mavridoglou — trumpet Steve Schmidt — piano Aaron Jacobs — bass Jim Leslie — drums You can expect to hear some classic and newer tunes, swinging and funky, by Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, and other jazz greats, as well as some original songs by some of the Bears! Please come and plan on having fun - without bearly trying! :) 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: 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. 

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 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 Blue Wisp Big Band show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance. 

Mandy Gaines — vocalist, Brad Myers — guitar 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. Brad Myers is a jazz, rock, and roots musician, composer, teacher, producer, and engineer. He plays acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, and mandolin and sings. 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 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. 

Charles McPherson — alto saxophone Terell Stafford — trumpet Randy Porter — piano Boris Koslov — bass Billy Drummond — drums “Charles is the very definition of excellence in our music. He’s the definitive master of his instrument. He plays with exceptional harmonic accuracy and sophistication. He performs free-flowing, melodic, and thematically developed solos with unbelievable fire and an unparalleled depth of soul.” Wynton Marsalis, a long-time admirer Charles McPherson, born in Joplin, Missouri 1939, moved to Detroit at age nine and studied with pianist Barry Harris. At nineteen, he began performing professionally and relocated to New York in 1959. A year later, he joined Charles Mingus’s band, remaining until 1972 and collaborating with notable artists like George Coleman and Lonnie Hillyer. McPherson has toured internationally with his own groups and jazz legends including Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton. He’s been featured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and appeared in the Clint Eastwood film Bird as the alto saxophonist. He has released recordings on Prestige, Fantasy, Xanadu, Smoke Sessions, and more. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Don Redman Lifetime Achievement Award, McPherson holds an Honorary Doctorate from California State University San Marcos. He served as Resident Composer for the San Diego Ballet, where his Jazz Dance Suites earned praise and topped readers’ polls in DownBeat and JazzTimes. Even during the pandemic, McPherson remained active, performing virtually and teaching at institutions like Michigan State and Arizona State. His most recent recording Reverence, a tribute to Barry Harris, showcases his quintet’s strength and artistry. A celebrated educator, McPherson has mentored students who now lead jazz programs and have earned major scholarships. He’s currently the subject of an upcoming memoir and was the focus of a doctoral dissertation on his saxophone style. As Wynton Marsalis says, “Charles is the very definition of excellence in our music.” 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. 

Charles McPherson — alto saxophone Terell Stafford — trumpet Randy Porter — piano Boris Koslov — bass Billy Drummond — drums “Charles is the very definition of excellence in our music. He’s the definitive master of his instrument. He plays with exceptional harmonic accuracy and sophistication. He performs free-flowing, melodic, and thematically developed solos with unbelievable fire and an unparalleled depth of soul.” Wynton Marsalis, a long-time admirer Charles McPherson, born in Joplin, Missouri 1939, moved to Detroit at age nine and studied with pianist Barry Harris. At nineteen, he began performing professionally and relocated to New York in 1959. A year later, he joined Charles Mingus’s band, remaining until 1972 and collaborating with notable artists like George Coleman and Lonnie Hillyer. McPherson has toured internationally with his own groups and jazz legends including Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton. He’s been featured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and appeared in the Clint Eastwood film Bird as the alto saxophonist. He has released recordings on Prestige, Fantasy, Xanadu, Smoke Sessions, and more. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Don Redman Lifetime Achievement Award, McPherson holds an Honorary Doctorate from California State University San Marcos. He served as Resident Composer for the San Diego Ballet, where his Jazz Dance Suites earned praise and topped readers’ polls in DownBeat and JazzTimes. Even during the pandemic, McPherson remained active, performing virtually and teaching at institutions like Michigan State and Arizona State. His most recent recording Reverence, a tribute to Barry Harris, showcases his quintet’s strength and artistry. A celebrated educator, McPherson has mentored students who now lead jazz programs and have earned major scholarships. He’s currently the subject of an upcoming memoir and was the focus of a doctoral dissertation on his saxophone style. As Wynton Marsalis says, “Charles is the very definition of excellence in our music.” 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. 

Colin Palmieri - saxophones Edgar Byars - tenor saxophone Alex Nicodemus - piano Jack Early - bass Alex Merk - drums & cymbals Colin Palmieri is a 23-year-old saxophonist, pianist, and vocalist from the Akron-Cleveland, Ohio, area. After completing his undergrad in music education in December 2024, he has embraced Cincinnati as a new home as he teaches and performs to support the surrounding communities of the greater Cincinnati area. With various projects featuring himself on saxophone, piano, vocals, and composition, this rising star is always ready to deliver a soulful performance that will leave you wanting more! Edgar Byars is a saxophonist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Having studied in Miami, Florida, at the Frost School of Music, Byars’s music combines the sound of hard bop jazz with Latin and modern influences. Palmieri & Byars were first introduced during their senior year of high school while participating in the Ohio All-State Jazz Ensemble in 2020, where Palmieri played the lead alto chair, and Byars played the lead tenor chair. A five-year reunion of their first meeting in Byars’ hometown, playing both the saxophonists’ original music among swingin’ jazz standards, is sure to bring incredible energy to the bandstand. 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. 

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 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 Blue Wisp Big Band show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance. 

"Perhaps the most creative improviser in Gypsy jazz today, Mr. Wrembel plays the guitar with a rich and colorful lyricism." The New York Times "A revelation." Rolling Stone Magazine Stephane Wrembel stands as one of the world's most celebrated guitarists. Originally from Fontainebleau, France, Wrembel is renowned for his masterful blend of jazz, gypsy swing, and world music, enchanting audiences across the globe with his unique sound. Wrembel is also a highly respected composer. His original compositions have graced the acclaimed films Midnight in Paris ("Bistro Fada"), Vicky Cristina Barcelona ("Big Brother"), and Rifkin’s Festival (original score). Midnight in Paris won the Grammy Award® for "Best Compilation Soundtrack." At the 2012 Academy Awards®, Wrembel was handpicked by renowned composer Hans Zimmer to join his "All-Star Band," performing alongside luminaries like Esperanza Spalding, Pharrell, and Shelia E. ​With an already impressive discography of 19 albums released under his name and the pseudonym, The Django Experiment, Wrembel recently released a triptych-- 3 CDs entitled Phase 1, 2, and 3--recorded with his band and Canadian improvisational pianist Jean-Michel Pilc. Released in April of 2024, the triptych has received glowing press in Downbeat, Guitar Player Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, New York Jazz Record, and more. Wrembel’s collaborations with other top musicians, such as mandolinist David Grisman and Grammy Award®-winning guitarist Raul Midon, highlight his remarkable versatility. Additionally, Wrembel is a dedicated musical director and educator. Since 2003, he has curated the Django a Gogo Music Festival, a celebrated week-long event honoring the Sinti guitar style, held in Maplewood, New Jersey, and in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall and featuring a series of master guitar classes. Wrembel has shared the stage with legends including Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, The Roots, Medeski Martin & Wood, Me’shell Ndegeocello, John Scofield, Larry Keel, Stochelo Rosenberg, and Sam Bush. His performances on NPR’s prestigious Mountain Stage and the syndicated radio show Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour further showcase his diverse talent. His performances transcend genre boundaries, offering something different to every music enthusiast. As he puts it, “I just play my music. It’s not only for the rock music lover, the Django Reinhardt lover, or the jazz lover. It’s for the music lover.” 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. 

Dan White: Saxophones Jon Lampley: Trumpet/Sousaphone​ Chris Ott: Trombone/Beatbox Adam DeAscentis: Bass John Hubbell: Drums Josh Hill: Guitar Huntertones brings people together around the globe with fun, imaginative, and fearless music. Their high energy, horn-driven sound features genre-bending composition and unconventional covers. Every show is a social experience celebrating the joy of music. The band formed in Columbus, Ohio, and is now based in Brooklyn, NY. They’ve performed in over 25 countries and continue to tour the US and abroad. Huntertones claims more authority than ever as they drive into their 10th year. Their latest release, Engine Co., is six songs tracked together in the live room of Atomic Studios in Brooklyn, NY, serving as a reminder to Huntertones and their listeners that the best way to get to the heart of any song is simply in the moment. ​ “Soulful, tasty and groovy. I dare you not to dance or be in a good mood during and after listening to this beautiful music” -Lionel Loueke "Huntertones are a band propelled forward by a horn-driven focus on explosive, imaginative, and genre-defying compositions.” -PopMatters “Honest, genuine, skillfully executed music without limitations that is uplifting and cannot be quantified.” -Jon Batiste 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 resale your seats with no refund. There are no refunds within 24 hours of the start of the performance. 

David Matthews - piano, arranger Carmon DeLeone - drums Michael Sharfe - bass Rick VanMatre - saxophones Hank Mauntner - trumpet & flugelhorn World-renowned jazz arranger and pianist David Matthews appears with his friend Carmon DeLeone, who is renewing a musical friendship dating back to their days at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory. Matthews is well-known for his time at King Records as conductor and arranger for James Brown and later for Paul McCarney, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and many others. 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 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 Dorff Jr. – drums Brandon Coleman — guitar Justin Dawson — bass Drummer and soundsmith Dan Dorff Jr. is known in Cincinnati as a working drummer and keyboardist. He has also spent the last two decades collaborating with artists such as Ben Sollee, Ray Lamontagne, Jim James, Blessid Union of Souls, and DYAN in the studio and on the road. Trained in classical and jazz styles, Dan brings a utilitarian sense of playfulness and curiosity to his composition and improvisation. Dan will be joined by his frequent collaborators, guitarist Brandon Coleman and bassist Justin Dawson, for an unforgettable evening of music. 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. 

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 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 Blue Wisp Big Band show of equal value will be accepted. The transfer must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance. 

Carlos Vargas - acoustic guitar Kristopher Keith - flute Matt McAllister - pandeiro Little Saudade is a trio consisting of flute, acoustic guitar, and pandeiro that performs folkloric music from Latin America. Each band member has a unique relationship with various Latin American cultures, and they aim to blend their experiences into their music. 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. 

Throughout their storied 43-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 26 albums, received 16 Grammy® nominations – won 2 – performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success. The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly after that recording, however, Ford decided to part ways and go in a different musical direction. As a result, the modern-day Yellowjackets were formed — a trio with Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, and Ricky Lawson. Since then, and with the addition of Bob Mintzer, the Yellowjackets have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz’s most influential and loved groups. Over the years, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes. Never failing to rise to the inevitable challenges of adjustment, the Yellowjackets - Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy, Bob Mintzer - have maintained an extraordinarily high quality of musicianship that is the rival of many but a surprise to no one who knows and appreciates the band and their music. 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. 

Kathy Wade — vocalist Sergio Pamies — piano Chris Berg — bass Melvin Broach — drums 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 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. 

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. 

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.