Jazz Alive

06/01/2026

Jazz in the Camp at the American Sign Museum is located at 1330 Monmouth Avenue in Camp Washington. Admission for the series is FREE! Bring a picnic and enjoy beverages for purchase.

We continue the 2026 series on June 3rd with Organized Gentlemen.
Organized Gentlemen is a Cincinnati-based instrumental trio blending guitar, organ, and drums into a groove-forward mix of funk, soul, and jazz. Inspired by bands like The Meters, Soulive, and Ghost-Note, the group delivers tight, soulful melodies and improvisational spontaneity rooted in deep-pocket rhythm. Onstage, their sets move effortlessly from gritty funk jams to smooth, melodic themes, always keeping the groove front and center.
The band features George Simon on guitar, Brian Batchelor Glader on organ, and Jeff Mellott on drums.

Big thanks to our sponsors American Sign Museum, Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, ArtsWave, NorthSide Bank and Trust, CWURC and Camp Washington Business Association, and Cincinnati Music Accelerator.

05/18/2026

At the Frank Foster Summer Jazz Camp, we are committed to bringing world-class musicians and educators to our students. In that spirit, we’re looking forward to welcome saxophonist, composer and educator Bruce Williams to Cincinnati!

Bruce Williams is a powerful jazz saxophonist who hails from our nation's capital of Washington, D.C. He has four recordings as a leader under his belt and more than 30 as a sideman. He’s toured the world in both roles, performing with the World Saxophone Quartet, Jimmy Scott, Frank Foster, Russell Gunn, Cecil Brooks III, Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Ben Riley and Roy Hargrove among others. Bruce is Adjunct Professor of Jazz Saxophone at Montclair State University and has taught at Princeton University, the New School and New Jersey Performing Arts Center. He currently serves as an ensemble coach for The Juilliard School’s jazz department.

Get your tickets now to see Bruce and the students from the Frank B. Foster Summer Jazz Camp: at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center from 1:00 - 3:00 PM on June 6! 🎷

04/16/2026

04/11/2026

Jazz Alive In School Jazz program presented at Frederick Douglas elementary school. Sharing the uniqueness of the art form during Jazz Appreciation month.

04/10/2026

Highlighting our clinicians for 2026 Cincinnati Jazz Girls Day.

Gayelynn McKinney is a drummer, composer, educator and co-founder of the all-women jazz group Straight Ahead. A Detroit native raised in a musical household, she began playing the drums at age two and started lessons at age eight. McKinney's career has included several professional collaborations as a side musician and touring drummer. She was the drummer for Aretha Franklin from 2016 until Franklin's final performance in 2017. She has 3 recordings as a leader, and in 2022, she established the "Women Who Drum Festival", a free event in Detroit focused on female percussionists.

Gayelynn McKinney is in the drum chair tonight at Caffe Vivace for the We Create Jazz ensemble.

Ticket link is below.
7pm show has two bar stools left. 9pm show has tables and stools available.

Come join us to celebrate women in jazz and Jazz Appreciation month!
tickets.caffevivace.com/shows/10499

04/09/2026

People are always surprised when I say The We Create Jazz ensemble show at Caffe Vivace will feature 7 women.
Even when announcing the information, audience members gasp, because it’s rare. We encourage anyone who loves and supports jazz to come out Friday, April 10th to enjoy the show!

Ticket link is below. 7pm show has just bar stools left. 9pm show has tables and stools available.

Come join us to celebrate women in jazz and Jazz Appreciation month!

Featuring:
Jordan Pollard – piano
Cadence Okuwobi – bass
Gayelynn McKinney – drums
Angie Coyle – saxophone
Katie Carson – trumpet
Lexi Hamner – trombone
Kathy Wade – vocals

tickets.caffevivace.com/shows/10499

04/08/2026

I had the honor of being interviewed by Courtis Fuller on Let’s Talk Cincy to discuss 2026 Cincinnati Jazz Girls Day. My interview is after the wonderful discussion on Marian and Donald Spencer and the annual Spencer Awards.

The 11th annual Spencer Awards honoring the life and legacy of civil rights icons Donald and Marian Spencer: plus, the Cincinnati Jazz Girls Day, providing mentorship and master classes for girls studying jazz.

04/07/2026

The We Create Jazz ensemble performing this Friday at Caffe Vivace represent different generations of women walking the truth of their journey in jazz.

Ticket link is below. 7pm show has just bar stools left. 9pm show has tables and stools available.

Come join us to celebrate women in jazz and Jazz Appreciation month!

Featuring:
Jordan Pollard – piano
Cadence Okuwobi – bass
Gayelynn McKinney – drums
Angie Coyle – saxophone
Katie Carson – trumpet
Lexi Hamner – trombone
Kathy Wade – vocals

tickets.caffevivace.com/shows/10499

04/06/2026

My interview with Elaine Diehl about Cincinnati Jazz Girls Day will air today 90.9 WGUC 10:00am and 5:00pm and online.
https://wguc.org/cincinnati-jazz-girls-day-returns-this-saturd