The Cafe Wha? Band
They are a rainbow of talent, known to many as the best damn band in New York City. Capable of showcasing a variety of music, the Cafe Wha? House Band entertains any judging ear. Song to song, musician, the power of melody is underlined and highlighted by individual passions. Every band member possesses an allure that stands on its own and compliments another. Forget about in one night, but in the matter of one set, The Wha? Band takes you through generations of music and the emotions they evoke. Reggae and rock, R&B and soul, these guys can cover any Bob Marley, Doors, Radiohead or Beatles tune; brilliantly they own it like their own. Playing outside the formulated charts, this fervent band is complete with climatic guitar solos, intoxicating bass lines, and vocals that will take you places.
Wednesday through Sunday the aisles of the Cafe Wha? are absolutely jammed packed with a party, there's a thick chemisty between the band and the audience. More often than not, the band calls guest musicians to the stage. These sometimes soul and sometimes Latin entertainers are sure to get the chair dancers off their booty. If you're one of those who like that spot right in front of the stage, don't be surprised if you're brought up to shake it!
The Cafe Wha? band will surely feed your fire.
The Cafe Wha? Band performs every Wednesday thru Sunday, 52 weeks a year! Doors are at 8:30pm, show begins at 9:30pm.
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Amadou Gaye
Back in Senegal, Amadou mostly played jazz and fusion. He listened to George Benson and Wes Montgomery, becoming influenced by their styles. Amadou came to the States to pursue his musical dream. The Café Wha? made it happen. Not only has it lent itself as a workplace, but also, “It allows me to do what I want to be doing with my life, which is play music.”
Amadou is one of three guitar players on stage, but he is the only one who can pick with his tongue! And when he’s not doing that or laying down a vivid rhythm, he’s taking a solo. His solos are rich and complete with a musical language that is reminiscent of 60s and 70s rock ‘n’ roll. As a singer, an entertainer, Amadou tries to not play the “usual stupid songs.” Jimi Hendrix and Prince would be proud of his reproductions.
In Amadou’s free time he is constantly writing original tunes that fall between the genres of rock and funk.
Brockett Parsons
Brockett is game for playing any style which makes the Café Wha? perfect for him. Sometimes it’s the high energy of the crowd, and most of the time it’s the power on stage, that unleashes his character. He just goes crazy!
Brockett pushes the band to creative extremities, and they all welcome the cutting edge.
“If you think this band sounds good now… just wait!” The beauty of his skills on the keys is his ability to perform classical and jazz instrumentation, then instantly shifting it into hip-hop. When it comes to soloing, Brockett lashes out, “I try to act like a complete animal. I get super aggressive.” His adrenalin bounces him around the stage, crashing into whatever is in his way- stands, monitors, musicians. He’s notorious for snatching the mic to bust out a Beastie Boys rap.
Brockett is involved with many outside projects playing a lot of soul and hip-hop. Music production is his latest thing. He admires and recognizes quality song writing when he hears it. Three times a week he exercises, he finds being in the best physical shape is beneficial to his playing.
Kim Summerson
Kim’s Café Wha? tale begins with her subbing for Disfunktion on Tuesday nights, singing Motown and R&B. Shortly thereafter, she was brought in as the leading lady for the house band. Kim is the epitome of a powerhouse, her voice vibrates your insides. It’s more than her flawless hair and fashion savvy, but being the sole female on stage, Kim brings a sense of style and class.
Her demeanor is graciously kind and her backup vocals are perfection. Though, when she is center stage, it’s a whole other story. Kim’s vocal range and ability to uphold a single note is extraordinary, her body language and stage presence is merely complimentary. Though she is not singing gospel or Christian music, she tries to create that vibe within her song. Kim becomes freer with every note and enters deeper into another world, taking her audience by the hand.
Kim is the mom of twins, a boy and a girl, and her moments outside of the Café Wha? are dedicated to her family. She also loves to shop and makes floral arrangements in her spare time.
Reverend Conner Mack Tribble
A cunning personality, a unique sense of fashion and the knack for uplifting speech is what makes Conner the ideal host for the Café Wha? Band- a genuine one at that. When he isn’t hosting or introducing the next song, Conner takes center stage and plays the type of music that has always made him feel good, “Authentic rock ‘n’ roll.” It’s no joke either, his guitar is worn thin!
He plays the hell out the Doors and he could have been the fifth Beatle, but more importantly, the Reverend is for real. Before Conner joined the band in the early 90s, his manager told him that he talked a lot, like a reverend, and the nickname stuck. Conner’s dad was a minister and his biggest inspiration to be ordained. “I take being a reverend very seriously. I enjoy giving spiritual advice and have had the pleasure of marrying people.”
Off stage the Reverend Conner Mack Tribble works with a management and production company writing and publishing his own work. Some of his originals are played on the Wha? stage- “Fantasy Land” and “Sex and Ice” are two house favorites. Conner also wrote the theme song, “I Had Fun at the Café Wha?” But you have to be a trooper and make it to 3:30am to hear this tune.
Bryan Stephens
Weekly at the Café Wha?, Bryan showed up and showed up and showed up until he got the gig. He was a persistent Southerner and it proved to be beneficial. That was eight years ago, and today, he is more than that guy who plays rock, he is a musical director for the Café Wha? Band. According to Bryan it is easy as hell, “I only have to let everyone be their amazing selves.”
Bryan remains pretty quiet on stage with a sense of coyness. But when it’s his turn in the spotlight his character becomes multi-dimensional. May he be singing Radiohead, Pearl Jam, The Who, or Pink Floyd, for Bryan, this is when his inner person ignites. His voice carries profundity and heart. It becomes obvious to him, as well as the audience, that the music sustains him. “Playing with these guys makes it even more special to me.”
Outside of the Café Wha? Bryan is a homebody. Above all music and all facets of life, he is an extremely happy newlywed.
Byron John Moore
Almost a decade ago Byron did a favor for a friend and filled in for a night at the Café Wha?. The lure for Byron was that it was a great opportunity to play music and to learn it as well. Today he’s a musical director for the band. “Bass motivates your emotion. It pulls rhythm and dance, it makes your body move.” Byron is organic. His voice is vintage, when he sings it’s with eyes wide shut and a humble smile.
He uses his bass to create shapes and colors for composition, anchoring sound. Byron undergoes the music and though he is covering Bob Marley, Sting, or Coldplay, it always floods from his heart. Playing at the Wha? is a chance for Byron to give to the audience without expectation, for him, there is no need for applause.
Whether it is about music or not, Byron is always looking for a way to create or solve puzzles. “Moorish” is his personal reference to the essence of his creative world and those who surround him. Moorish is graceful and recognizes sound universally, it is quiet and constantly for the enjoyment of life.