Vito’s

Richie Aldente is among a handful of rising Seattle bands that are redefining the sound of the post-grunge city. With an intelligent fusion of dance beats, yacht rock, disco and contemporary hip-hop, the band creates ferociously infectious music that is smartly crafted but unabashedly fun-loving. While the sound hints of influences from the 70’s and 80’s, it is decidedly modern, appealing to a new generation of listeners who were born long after the genres that inspired it.

Pianist Jerry Zimmerman has been a mainstay in Seattle for nearly 50 years. It was during his 30-plus years at Canlis that he was named by the Seattle Weekly as “Seattle’s Best Piano Bar.” That was when he was doing what he loves to do most, including aspiring and professional singers in the mix. They covered the gamut of opera, jazz, show tunes, contemporary and classical. That, plus his seemingly effortless transitions from request to request has made him “one…

The James Band, featuring James Baumgart on guitar, is a straight-ahead jazz group that draws from the well of American music. Though most of the tunes were written before we were born, they are flavored with modern twists of phrasing and rhythm. Sometimes swing, sometimes funky, sometimes moody, at times even hip hop influences emerge; come get down to the joyful noise of The James Band.

You might have heard Ron Weinstein play with Combo Craig or Crack Sabbath, but this straight-up trio of piano, stand-up bass, and drums is jazz reminiscent of the late 50's and early 60's New York style. It is one of the most energetic jazz gigs we have at Vito’s and you really can’t help but smile at the whole affair. Ron brings together some of Seattle’s most expressive musicians with a different arrangement each week, always tying the gig together…

The Wally Shoup Quartet brings its own film noir soundtrack to Vito's each time they play. Torch songs, blues ballads, Beatles and classic jazz tunes are filtered through a Lynchian prism by way of Sun Ra and John Coltrane. Led by the soulful, deep-toned alto sax of Wally Shoup and vibist Bob Rees, the quartet is equally at home casting a sultry spell or lifting off into the sonic spaceways. Bassist John Seman and drummer Mark Ostrowski round out this…

Drink up, people–it’s LUSHY! Bossa-beat-flavored alterna-pop that goes down nice and easy. Lounge-y and danceable with hints of exotica and a touch of electronica… nutty and hip… intriguing and soothing… a must-see live! Lushy concocts a refreshing pop style that blends original samples and Bossa beats with elements of vintage Latin jazz, exotica, surf, new wave and 60’s pop to create their own distinctive intercontinental sound. Most importantly, they have established a solid reputation for originality far beyond their roots…

Pianist Jerry Zimmerman has been a mainstay in Seattle for nearly 50 years. It was during his 30-plus years at Canlis that he was named by the Seattle Weekly as “Seattle’s Best Piano Bar.” That was when he was doing what he loves to do most, including aspiring and professional singers in the mix. They covered the gamut of opera, jazz, show tunes, contemporary and classical. That, plus his seemingly effortless transitions from request to request has made him “one…

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Lennon Aldort has been playing the piano his entire life. Mostly self-taught, he blends together classical, jazz, blues, film scores, and many other genres, delivering a unique and highly personal performance.

You might have heard Ron Weinstein play with Combo Craig or Crack Sabbath, but this straight-up trio of piano, stand-up bass, and drums is jazz reminiscent of the late 50's and early 60's New York style. It is one of the most energetic jazz gigs we have at Vito’s and you really can’t help but smile at the whole affair. Ron brings together some of Seattle’s most expressive musicians with a different arrangement each week, always tying the gig together…

Bar Tabac deftly veers between pulsating exotica and tortured ballads without ever losing their sensuous warmth. The deep baritone guitar melodies from Jonathan Sampson, the mercurial drum echoes from Andru Creature and the lyrical bass lines from Aaron Harmonson combine to create refreshing interpretations of movie themes from the '60s and '70s as well as Sampson's own haunting tunes from film soundtracks recorded in Paris, London, New York and Seattle. At Vito's their performances may be worthy of your undivided…

Marina Christopher is an awarding-winning Seattle bassist and vocalist. She recently won the Golden Ear Award for Emerging Artist from Earshot Jazz, and she took home a Special Mention from the 2018 Seattle-Kobe Jazz Vocalist Audition at Jazz Alley. Her motto is “Jazz eats every kind of music for breakfast”, which is obvious from her fun, improvisational takes on decades of jazz, funk, pop and rock. Marina’s own songwriting has clever lyrics, catchy melodies and rich jazz harmonies.

Three-time Latin Grammy nominee and Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame member Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians working today. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal.  He was an integral part of Pascoal’s group from 1977 to 1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records.
Jovino’s personal style is a creative blend of…

In a salute to Vito's Italian heritage, we are proud to present The Tarantellas as our dinner show on the first and third Saturdays of each month for a festive and loving tribute to "The Legendary Favorite Songs of Italy."  Bandleader/vocalist Richard Sclafani holds forth with his antique Neapolitan mandolin, a little work of art in itself, with a unique sound that has been described as the "heart and soul of Southern Italy".  On various nights, he is accompanied by…

Frank Vitolo is a saxophonist born and raised here in the Pacific Northwest and is a graduate of Western Washington University’s Music program under the direction of Mike Allen and Miles Black, both international touring artists from BC. His sound and style has been compared to music titans like Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, John Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins. Jazz vocabulary is apparent in every moment of his fluid and unapologetic playing. Frank performs a mix of traditional jazz from New…

You might have heard Ron Weinstein play with Combo Craig or Crack Sabbath, but this straight-up trio of piano, stand-up bass, and drums is jazz reminiscent of the late 50's and early 60's New York style. It is one of the most energetic jazz gigs we have at Vito’s and you really can’t help but smile at the whole affair. Ron brings together some of Seattle’s most expressive musicians with a different arrangement each week, always tying the gig together…

Tim Kennedy is a Seattle-based pianist and composer. He can be found on any given night performing jazz, pop, or gospel around town. A lifelong student of jazz, Tim has toured all over the world performing this music. He is currently the front man for the pop dance outfit Richie Aldente, and leads the electric jazz trio Gravity.

Since her arrival to Seattle in 2008, international jazz vocalist Jennifer Kienzle has emerged as a singer adept at conveying a direct and honest interpretation of the American songbook. Jennifer's playful lyricism and beautiful, pure tone pull her listeners in to the stories she sings. Jennifer and her musicians enjoy creating music in the moment. The songs you hear will be unique and never to be heard the same way again.

Pianist Jerry Zimmerman has been a mainstay in Seattle for nearly 50 years. It was during his 30-plus years at Canlis that he was named by the Seattle Weekly as “Seattle’s Best Piano Bar.” That was when he was doing what he loves to do most, including aspiring and professional singers in the mix. They covered the gamut of opera, jazz, show tunes, contemporary and classical. That, plus his seemingly effortless transitions from request to request has made him “one…

A native of the Pacific Northwest, saxophonist Kareem Kandi has been performing on the scene for years, gaining attention from both critics and audiences alike.  Kareem attended Cornish College of the Arts where he studied composition and performance from some of the greatest jazz musicians in Seattle. Currently, his band plays a mixture of originals and arrangements of standards which cover many styles ranging from jazz, funk, rock, blues, and ballads. When not leading his own group, Kareem can be…

Alex Guilbert has been a mainstay as a sideman, leader and soloist in the Seattle jazz and swing scene for over a quarter century. Alex has omnivorous musical tastes, but is also a serious student of both early and modern jazz. He’s spent plenty of time energizing lindy hoppers and balboa dancers, but also exploring bebop, modern jazz and beyond. Sit down for an hour with Alex behind the piano and you’ll experience a journey, from the stride piano of…

You might have heard Ron Weinstein play with Combo Craig or Crack Sabbath, but this straight-up trio of piano, stand-up bass, and drums is jazz reminiscent of the late 50's and early 60's New York style. It is one of the most energetic jazz gigs we have at Vito’s and you really can’t help but smile at the whole affair. Ron brings together some of Seattle’s most expressive musicians with a different arrangement each week, always tying the gig together…

Drummer Brad Gibson likes to feature a rotating cast of the city's best musicians in his monthly performances at Vito's. Gibson and Co. offer a contemporary spin on classic jazz repertoire, performed with a daring yet refined attitude.

Though her projects span many genres, from electronica, to funk, reggae, trip-hop, R&B, or vocal improvisation, Katrina might tell you that her roots reside in jazz and blues. She’s graced some of the largest stages in the Northwest, has eight albums under her belt, and has garnered massive respect among peers for her voice and approach to songwriting. She certainly has no fear exploring new genres and material, but seems to always find a home back with her piano and…

Johnny Astro is a surf/lounge band from Seattle, Washington formed in 1997 by guitarist Mark Bombara. They perform instrumental surf, lounge, ’60s spy and movie soundtrack music and originals. The band combines the talents of guitarist, song writer and band leader Mark Bombara, drummer Shane Peck, vibraphonist Susan Pascal, bassist Noah Wilson and saxophonist Marty Jourard.

In a salute to Vito's Italian heritage, we are proud to present The Tarantellas as our dinner show on the first and third Saturdays of each month for a festive and loving tribute to "The Legendary Favorite Songs of Italy." Bandleader/vocalist Richard Sclafani holds forth with his antique Neapolitan mandolin, a little work of art in itself, with a unique sound that has been described as the "heart and soul of Southern Italy". On various nights, he is accompanied by…

Monty Banks is an authentic, professional, experienced, award-winning singer, pianist, bandleader, and entertainer.  His musical style is an entertaining mix of Rat Pack-era swing, traditional jazz, and New Orleans R&B. Monty lives in Seattle every summer (June, July, August, September), and in New Orleans the rest of the year (October through May). From the roots of Rock ‘N Roll, to the swingin’ good times of the Rat Pack Era, Monty’s adventures in music have taken him from New York City, to his…

Marina Albero burst onto the Seattle jazz scene in September of 2014. Since that time, she has energized the scene with her quartet, and in duo and solo piano performance. Her style reflects her musical journey that began with touring the world as a child with her musical family, to her teen years spent studying in Cuba, to her association with flamenco forms in Spain. The listener can hear a world of music in her playing, from jazz, to classical,…

You might have heard Ron Weinstein play with Combo Craig or Crack Sabbath, but this straight-up trio of piano, stand-up bass, and drums is jazz reminiscent of the late 50's and early 60's New York style. It is one of the most energetic jazz gigs we have at Vito’s and you really can’t help but smile at the whole affair. Ron brings together some of Seattle’s most expressive musicians with a different arrangement each week, always tying the gig together…

Ben von Wildenhaus performs a mostly instrumental music that New York Music Daily has described as “transcontinental noir.” He has been compared to guitarists like Marc Ribot, Sir Richard Bishop and Sandy Bull, though his live show can evoke the intentional awkwardness of Neil Hamburger. Using an electric guitar, textless vocals, found audio and just about anything that can produce a tone, Wildenhaus produces, both live and on record, a seamless amalgam of Egyptian film music, Berber desert guitar, American…

Angel Itenchi is a Seattle based singer/songwriter with roots in jazz and blues. She earned her degree in jazz vocal performance at Cornish College of the Arts and frequently performs on the scene with some of Seattle's finest musicians. When not performing jazz, you can find her performing original material with her band, viaSound.

A 2016 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, composer and pianist, Wayne Horvitz brings the music of his long-standing quartet, Sweeter Than the Day to Bar Lunatico, featuring an all-NYC band. Horvitz’s work ranges from the recent premiere of a concerto for the Seattle Symphony featuring guitarist Bill Frisell to his long association with a myriad of artists including Butch Morris, Gus Van Sant, John Zorn, Robin Holcomb, Reggie Watts etc.  “there's nobody else out there I hear even attempting to cover some…

Pianist Jerry Zimmerman has been a mainstay in Seattle for nearly 50 years. It was during his 30-plus years at Canlis that he was named by the Seattle Weekly as “Seattle’s Best Piano Bar.” That was when he was doing what he loves to do most, including aspiring and professional singers in the mix. They covered the gamut of opera, jazz, show tunes, contemporary and classical. That, plus his seemingly effortless transitions from request to request has made him “one…