Join the Diane Ward & the Band of VIRGOS for this very special evening of music featuring – Jack Shawde (guitars), Debbie Duke (bass), Bob Taylor (keys), & John Yarling (drums).

“She’s gentle, strong, poignant; her own story will move you — so will her music.” Janet Goodman – Music News Nashville

“As a showcase for everything that makes Diane Ward so special, this record [Beautiful Ways] is a gem that should not escape your attention. It is a triumphant and emotive collection of songs that will answer the question: “Where have all the great singer-songwriters gone?” Before you lament the poor state of popular music, make sure you check out Beautiful Ways to have your faith refreshed and restored!” – KEYBOARD MAGAZINE

“VOTED BEST ROCK VOCALIST / MIAMI NEW TIMES – Blessed with a conscience and a voice like honey in a blender, Ward always finds a way to sweeten her woeful lyrics while stirring up those themes that deserve the whirring-blade treatment. Her gift has made the Miami native a regional attraction…” Miami New Times – Miami, FL

“VOTED BEST SONGWRITER / CITY LINK MAGAZINE – On her latest CD, Wonderlight, Ward pens tunes that are so damn hummable you’ll find yourself whistling the choruses while standing in line at Publix…” City Link Magazine – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Arthur Cruz Jazz
Keyboard artist, singer and songwriter Arthur Cruz is an interpreter of jazz standards and his own original songs – melodic tunes with pensive lyrics that blend jazz, rock and pop influences from Cole Porter to the Beatles to Sting.

A hopeful romantic, with a distinctive voice and style of song, Arthur Cruz sings of longing to be your valentine, believing in fairy tales of love and holding on to each other through the dark night of the soul.

Along with Englishman Mike Wood on bass, and the energetic Elvis Taylor on drums, these three musicians produce a dynamic, syncopated sound.

The trio is often joined by accomplished jazz instrumentalists (Ted McDermott, Jack Siegel, Nestor Zurieta) and vocalists (Loye Hawkins, Von Henry) for an exciting evening of live, improvised music.

SARAH JACOB TRIO

Sarah Jacob views songwriting as a catalyst to navigate through emotions and give them voice. Aided by her love for puns, double entendres and allusion, her songs transform the confusions and ambiguities of inner experience into a “language of the emotions.” Since 2012 Sarah, who composes on the piano, has teamed up with Darrell Arnold, baritone vocalist and guitarist, and Fred Napolitano, saxophonist, forming the Sarah Jacob Trio. The result–mixing hints of jazz, blues and folk into contemporary rock-ballads–is an original lyrical and musical blend. The trio combines a sense and sensibility that make for beautiful songs, offering a psychological expedition of the inner world.

DARRELL ARNOLD

Join the Diane Ward & the Band of VIRGOS for this very special evening of music featuring – Jack Shawde (guitars), Debbie Duke (bass), Bob Taylor (keys), & John Yarling (drums).

“She’s gentle, strong, poignant; her own story will move you — so will her music.” Janet Goodman – Music News Nashville

“As a showcase for everything that makes Diane Ward so special, this record [Beautiful Ways] is a gem that should not escape your attention. It is a triumphant and emotive collection of songs that will answer the question: “Where have all the great singer-songwriters gone?” Before you lament the poor state of popular music, make sure you check out Beautiful Ways to have your faith refreshed and restored!” – KEYBOARD MAGAZINE

“VOTED BEST ROCK VOCALIST / MIAMI NEW TIMES – Blessed with a conscience and a voice like honey in a blender, Ward always finds a way to sweeten her woeful lyrics while stirring up those themes that deserve the whirring-blade treatment. Her gift has made the Miami native a regional attraction…” Miami New Times – Miami, FL

“VOTED BEST SONGWRITER / CITY LINK MAGAZINE – On her latest CD, Wonderlight, Ward pens tunes that are so damn hummable you’ll find yourself whistling the choruses while standing in line at Publix…” City Link Magazine – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

EDAN ARCHER
As the city’s breath climbs to a lively rhythm, locals awaken in unison under a rainy and ominous veil. How do sleepy commuters find the strength to climb out of bed when the weather whispers sweet nothings to lure you back in? Music, baby. It’s the only remedy for longing snuggles. So we need tunes to clash with our sentiments. Something hard yet soaring, speaking to the rebels within us. The sleep doctor prescribes: Edan Archer.

She may be a Gainesvillian at heart, but the Miami-based rocker knows how to passionately throw it down in true 305 fashion. Her musical creations are hauntingly moody, connecting to listeners with personal lyrics that anyone can relate to. Her sharp guitar riffs and addictive presence lays homage to female powerhouses of Rock’s past; just what this city needs. With every chord, she awakens a thirst for revolt from the “classic” Miami music scene, like a vampire from a lengthy slumber.

Edan Archer is killing it people, and you don’t want to be asleep for the murder.

DIANE WARD

“What do you get when you blend the power of Melissa Etheridge’s voice with the beauty of K.D Lang’s? Two words: Diane Ward.  This singer/songwriter powerhouse has been long under-recognized for her soulful voice and strike to the heart lyrics” by Skott Freedman

JACK SHAWDE

Bring your axe. Very laid back – a great way to meet some of the Café’s performers & regulars in a very low-pressure environment. Novices & pros are welcome to come on down & join the jam. Try out new material or just participate in some sing-alongs.

ALL THAT JAZZ
Come join Loye and Ted for an evening listening pleasure. Smooth jazz standards and ballads with a mix of blues and pops. Intermissions and last set opened for those who want to jam with us…
Free Free Free

Amy Arlo & Almost Blue Bring their own Brand of Acoustic Funk, Blues & Early Soul- an Unplugged Version of their Electric show

GRANT PEEPLES

A self-described “vegetarian that watches NASCAR, and tree-hugger with a gun below the seat,” Grant Peeples is known for his axe-sharp socio-political tunes, raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads.

In 2014 he was the recipient of the Focus Foundation Award for Creative Excellence, which cited the “humor, compassion and wisdom of his songs,” as well as their “unflinching social insight and cultural acuity.”

Third Coast Magazine’s John Conquest says “Peeples is unusually literate, unusually honest. And the only songwriter I have ever called ‘ruthless.’”

Grant has made seven studio records. Including a trilogy produced by Gurf Morlix. His newest record, “A Congress of Treasons,” was released in February, 2016

https://youtu.be/AxO8cU2vNX4?list=UUg68uQu2WQcCMGdQ43vaGEQ

https://youtu.be/Sv-FXUVXL6U?list=UUg68uQu2WQcCMGdQ43vaGEQ

Bring your axe. Very laid back – a great way to meet some of the Café’s performers & regulars in a very low-pressure environment. Novices & pros are welcome to come on down & join the jam. Try out new material or just participate in some sing-alongs.

Bring an original song for critique on CD, or perform it live acoustically. Make sure to have 12 copies of your lyric sheet.

$5 for non-members/ FREE for members.

This workshop is affiliated with the Nashville Songwriters Association International. (nashvillesongwriters.com)

PANAMA RED
1972. I became Billy Joe Shaver’s guitar player, and we
wrote a couple of songs together, one of which, Bottom
Dollar, has at this time been recorded upwards of forty
times. It has become a standard country song, but
standards don’t pay; hits pay, but not standards…

I was standing on a street corner one day, gazing up at
Billy Swan’s apartment house when I hear a voice over my
right shoulder saying, “Do you think I ought to call myself
Rich Friedman, Kinky Friedman or Big Dick Friedman?” It
was, of course, Kinky. Now of course he uses all three on
his answering machine at the ranch. We became friends, and
he ultimately coerced me into playing guitar on his first
album, Sold American. Later, when I joined the Jewboys, I
started using the name. When we were working on Kinky’s
second album, I heard Peter Rowan’s tune, Panama Red. Ah,
well, I thought, it’ll pass. More untrue words have never
been spoken; the idea of Panama Red as an alias has so
grabbed the imagination of the masses that there must be a
million of us out there…but I was the first, I think,
anyway, predating the song. No matter.

I played in the Jewboys and I toured under my own flag
until 1980, when Felix Pappalardi recorded a song of mine,
somewhat watered down, called Negro, and then invited me to
work for him in Miami back at Criteria. I accepted,
because of the opportunity to learn how to produce records
from The Man himself. Felix meant a lot to me, and I
invested a lot of my career potential in working with him.
I became a ‘made man’, and was poised to finally make the
big time, which there was one of then, when Felix died at
the hands of his wife, Gail. There is nothing more that
should be said.

SCOTT BECKER

Drummer turned guitar player turned singer-songwriter. That is the path. When you listen to my music and experience my live performances you will see and feel all three phases. Lyrics are at the core of my music. Penning lyrics is a powerful flow of released emotion.

Bring your axe. Very laid back – a great way to meet some of the Café’s performers & regulars in a very low-pressure environment. Novices & pros are welcome to come on down & join the jam. Try out new material or just participate in some sing-alongs.

NIGHT BREEZE JAZZ
Mike Curtis has been performing and teaching in South Florida for over thirty years. In addition to performing throughout South Florida with Night Breeze Jazz, he performs regularly with the Jazzonian Heritage Jazz Band and is the Band Director at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City,

Earle Eidenire started playing saxophone when he was 12, and began learning jazz at the University of Miami’s Summer Music Camp in 1975. In 1977 Earle attended Florida State University and studied with Patrick Meighan, and Bill Kennedy. Earle has performed with Bruce Saunders, Mike Gerber, Eddie Daniels, Phil Sampson, Tim Mayer and many others

Ezo Hernandez former Warner Bros recording artist ,has been performing in the South Florida area for over 35 years as a drummer, percussionist and singer/songwriter Ezo is currently performing with Night Breeze Jazz and is the drummer for the Temple Beth Emet band

Bring your axe. Very laid back – a great way to meet some of the Café’s performers & regulars in a very low-pressure environment. Novices & pros are welcome to come on down & join the jam. Try out new material or just participate in some sing-alongs.