Discover Live Jazz Venues and Concerts in Cincinnati
Jazz clubs in Cincinnati have a rich role in the city’s music history. In the 1920s, jazz lovers frequented Gennet Studios, attracting big-name jazz musicians and African American bands. Jazz became crucial to the Cincinnati club and music scene in the 1950s, and the genre has maintained popularity over time.
Today, Cincinnati remains a vibrant hub for live jazz. From cozy clubs to lively park concerts, the city offers a diverse range of venues that celebrate its rich jazz heritage. Seasoned jazz enthusiasts and newcomers alike can enjoy Cincinnati’s jazz concerts for unforgettable experiences filled with rhythm, melody, and a sense of community connection.
The information in this article is current as of the publication date. Readers are encouraged to verify the information before taking action.
Featured Cincinnati Jazz Events
Brian Simpson, Jackiem Joyner & Jessy J.
April 18, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $35
This powerhouse trio combines soulful piano melodies, compelling saxophone grooves, and vibrant Latin-inspired jazz, crafting a richly layered and energetic performance.
Pieces of a Dream
May 9, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $45
Known for blending contemporary jazz, R&B, and funk, the group delivers rich melodies and dynamic performances that have captivated audiences for decades.
Paul Taylor
June 6, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $30
An American smooth jazz alto and soprano saxophonist and singer who has released twelve albums since his debut, On the Horn, in 1995.
Lindsey Webster
June 12, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $25
Known for her warm vocals and modern blend of jazz, R&B, and soul, Webster delivers emotionally rich songs that feel both intimate and timeless.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
June 23, 8 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
Blending rock, funk, soul, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and Caribbean influences into a raucous, high-energy sound, Shorty has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic and ecstatic live performers working today.
Spyro Gyra
Jazz Concert
June 27, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
An intimate night of genre‑blending jazz fusion from one of the most enduring bands in contemporary instrumental music.
Kirk Whalem
July 11, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $35
Soulful, passionate, stirring, these are the words most often used to describe Kirk Whalum’s music. Forged from his Memphis gospel roots and Houston’s thriving nightclub scene in the 1980s, Kirk’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his.
Boney James
August 8, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $80
An American saxophonist known for blending jazz, R&B, and contemporary soul into a signature smooth‑jazz sound.
Will Downing
August 21, 7:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
An evening of rich, velvety vocals from one of contemporary R&B’s most enduring stylists. His blend of sophisticated soul, jazz‑infused arrangements, and romantic ballads creates a concert atmosphere that feels both elegant and deeply personal.
Gerald Albright
November 13, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
The GRAMMY‑nominated musician will bring his signature blend of smooth jazz, funk, and soulful improvisation to the intimate Cincinnati venue.
Upcoming Cincinnati Jazz Concerts and Festivals
Mandy Gaines and Steve Schmidt
April 16, 7 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$15
Mandy Gaines, a richly trained vocalist rooted in early school and church music, appears with Cincinnati pianist Steve Schmidt, whose journey from blues guitar to self‑taught jazz piano defines his style
Walter Smith III Trio w/ Vincente Archer and Kendrick Scott
April 17, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$28
Walter Smith III is a jazz saxophonist and composer. He is the Chair of the Woodwind Department at the Berklee College of Music.
Kathy Wade Quartet: Up Jumped Spring!
April 18, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$15
Kathy Wade is a 2026 Inductee into the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame, a two-time Regional EMMY® Award-winning Executive Producer, internationally celebrated jazz vocalist, and lifelong arts activist whose career spans more than five decades.
Carlos Vargas Trio: From Toninho to Metheny
April 20, 7 p.m.
Memorial Hall (OTR)
$13
Celebrated guitarist Carlos Vargas offers a unique pairing of repertoires from Brazilian composer and guitarist Toninho Horta and Memorial Hall favorite Pat Metheny.
The Marlin McKay Quartet – Happy Birthday Hubbard
April 23, 7 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$15
Celebrating the Music of Freddie Hubbard, jazz trumpeter Marlin McKay returns to Caffe Vivace to pay homage to one of his early influences during Freddie’s birth month.
Michael Mavridoglou & Friends – Musings of Miles
April 24, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$15
Join Michael Mavridoglou and allstar cast of the area’s best musicians as they dive into the music and styles of one of the most important voices in jazz history, Miles Davis.
Vivace After Dark: The Soul Pearl — Camille Saba Smith
April 25, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$15
An after-dark evening of sultry jazz, soul, and refined storytelling. With velvet vocals, regal poise, and effortless command of the room, Camille creates a mood that is both intimate and magnetic.
Estrada do Sol 70’s Brasil
April 27, 7 p.m.
Memorial Hall (OTR)
$13
Estrada do Sol Explores Brazil in the 1970s, an era marked by the flourishing of Música Popular Brasileira (MPB), which evolved from Tropicália, Bossa Nova, and Samba, blending Brazilian rhythms with soul and funk, as well as influences from psychedelic rock.
Matthew Whitaker Organ Trio
April 30, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$23
Matthew Whitaker is a Grammy-winning, Emmy and NAACP Image Award-nominated band leader, composer, and arranger.
Tia Fuller and Shamie Royston
May 15, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$43
Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Tia Fuller and acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Shamie Royston are two of the most compelling creative voices in contemporary jazz.
Nduduzo Makhathini
May 16, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$23
Since his Blue Note debut in 2020, South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini has emerged as one of the most compelling spiritual voices in contemporary jazz.
The Ben Levin Quartet Featuring Art Gore and Special Guest Candice Ivory
May 18, 7 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$18
Pianist and composer Ben Levin presents a special evening of blues and jazz featuring Art Gore and special guest Candice Ivory.
Mandy Gaines and Brad Myers
May 21, 7 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$15
Mandy Gaines, a seasoned vocalist with deep roots in jazz and performance, teams up with Brad Myers, a versatile jazz‑, rock‑, and roots‑influenced multi‑instrumentalist, composer, and producer.
Michael Mayo
May 28, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$23
Michael Mayo is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, composer, arranger, and genre-defying artist whose work blurs the lines between jazz, neo-soul, and contemporary R&B.
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
July 22 & 23, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$53
A Grammy-nominated jazz group featuring Brian Blade on drums.
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Cincinnati Jazz Clubs and Venues
Bromwell’s Hearth Room
Live jazz Wednesday through Saturday
125 W 4th Street (Downtown)
In Cincinnati’s historic business district, Bromwell’s Hearth Room offers a coffee and cocktail program dedicated to the clasCaffè
Caffè Vivace
Live jazz Tuesday through Saturday
975 East McMillan Street (Walnut Hills)
513-601Caffè
Caffè Vivace is a coffee house by day and a jazz lounge by night. It provides a space for Cincinnatians to gather, work, socialize, and herald the musical art form of jazz. Tunes typically include early jazz, bebop, funk, swing-era melodies, and big bands.
First Unitarian Church
Hosts monthly jazz events
536 Linton Street (Avondale)
513-281-1564
The First Unitarian Church features a beautiful sanctuary equipped with a high-tech A/V system and other facilities available for rent. Catch the Jazz@First Chamber Jazz Series with the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.
Fountain Square
Frequently hosts jazz events
520 Vine Street (Downtown)
513-621-4400
Fountain Square has a rich heritage as the center of Cincinnati’s civic, social, and commercial life. Today, it serves as the epicenter of downtown and the city’s central gathering space. Bands typically include a jazz piano, drums, trumpet, and sax with a tenor to accompany the music.
Japp’s – Since 1879
Check out their website for bands and days
1134 Main Street (Downtown)
513-381-0674
Japp’s OTR specializes in classic cocktails from the 1700s to the 1950s. The building’s history complements the bar’s focus on history.
Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge
Check out their website for bands and days
1432 Vine Street (OTR)
513-400-8624
Nostalgia is an intimate lounge inspired by Cincinnati’s rich musical heritage and the city’s historic gathering places of the past. A Black-owned jazz club often offers rhythm and blues, instrumentals, improvisation, and the sounds of big bands.
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Schwartz’s Point Jazz & Acoustic Club
Thursday – Sunday: Check the website for times.
1901 Vine Street (OTR)
513-208-4466
Like going to New York or Europe for the evening without leaving Cincinnati!
Enjoy live music, exquisite cocktails, hot (spiked) espresso, and delicious desserts at The Point. Many jazz greats have performed there, especially during Jazz Appreciation Month.
The Blind Lemon
Check out their website for bands and days
693 Hatch Street (Mount Adams)
513-241-3885
Offering live music seven nights a week and showcasing the best of Cincinnati’s vibrant local music scene. Sometimes, you hear a solo trumpeter; other times, you hear a jazz musician doing gigs around Cincinnati.
The Redmoor
Check out their website for bands and days
3187 Linwood Avenue (Mt Lookout)
513-871-6789
The Redmoor is the stage for some of Cincinnati’s most memorable weddings, events, and live music performances.
The Symphony Hotel and Restaurant
Friday and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
210 W. 14th Street (OTR)
513-721-3353
The lounge offers live jazz and full food service from its award-winning kitchen. As a listener, jazz lovers will appreciate the sound and ambiance of this cozy venue.
Washington Park
Frequently hosts free jazz events
1230 Elm Street (OTR)
513-621-4400
From live music to exercise classes and kids’ activities, Washington Park offers a variety of free, family-friendly events for all ages.
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Jazz and blues are among America’s most significant cultural achievements. These genres unite people across the divides of race, region, and national boundaries. Let’s continue to embrace the magic of live jazz in Cincinnati and nurture our community’s love for this timeless art form.
Jazz fans can also follow the Cincinnati Jazz Community on Facebook to learn about jazz legends, new jazz musicians, emerging jazz artists, and jazz history.
If we have missed any upcoming Cincinnati jazz events or jazz clubs, please submit them to The Voice of Black Cincinnati calendar.
The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-966-3328.
Cincinnati Jazz Venues photos provided by © [AS Photo Project] /Adobe Stock, © [BillionPhotos.com] /Adobe Stock, Cafe Vivace, Biography.com, CCJO, Ludlow Garage, Taft Theater
Nice article! As a jazz musician in town it’s always good to see things promoted! I would also like to suggest you add Bromwell’s Hearth Room at 126 W. 4th to your list of jazz venues. Live jazz Wed-Sat. Great sounding room, nice folks.