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.

RAIFORD STARKE

Some astute fans were asked which two artists they would combine to describe one Raiford Starke, and they said:

“John Prine meets Ted Nugent.”

“Merle Travis meets Link Ray.”

“Jimmy Page meets Jerry Reed.”

“Doc Watson meets Johnny Guitar Watson.”

Actually, Raiford Starke is nothing if not David Allan Coe meets Jimi Hendrix, an outlaw country folk singer steeped in southern rock and psychedelic blues guitar. He’s an American original.

Colin Kenny is proud of his real name, but got stuck with the gallows humor of “Raiford Starke” long ago, branded by prison walls without ever having walked through their gates. It’s a Florida brand, the duo of state pens in the name recognizable to locals and fans of Ol’ Sparky, but Raiford Starke’s only crime is indecent distortion.

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 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 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.

RYAN COOPER

CORY HALL

Hailing from the Gulf Coast region of Florida, singer-songwriter Corey Hall strikes a harmonious balance between celebrating the roots of blues, drawing inspiration from legends like Mississippi John Hurt to R.L. Burnside, and crafting his own unique brand of music. Through creative exploration, he’s found avenues to cultivate his own voice within the blues genre, representing his profound love for this musical tradition. ‘Orange Peel Hop,’ Corey’s debut single, is a testament to his musical journey. Blending past and future in his performances, he leaves his audiences enriched, captivated, and looking for more of the “Old Time” sound.

8pm- 10pm

Cover Charge and Minimum will apply

Mo Morgan  keys vocals sax

Mike Curtis   Elec bass

Elvis Talyor   Mini drums

special guest vocalist   Lady Pat

Robert’s 2004 CD “What Are We Fighting For?” was released on Fountainbleu Records. The 4 song CD was a mix of original gospel, blues, folk and rock tunes that examined democracy, nationalism, freedom, security, corporate greed, and war. The politically charged lyrics were a bit of a departure for Ross who is primarily known for blues.

In March of 2002, Fountainbleu Records released “Sleight of Hand” which showcased the best material from two previous Ross recordings. The CD was re-mastered by Dennis Ferrante (Elvis, Aerosmith, John Lennon). Guitar World called “Sleight of Hand an excellent new CD.” Blues societies and radio stations in dozens of cities around the country loved it too.

• Ross has won two NY Music Awards (1989 & 2011) and has been nominated 7 times for Best Blues Artist, and Best Live Blues Artist alongside some of the greatest legends in the business including Johnny Copeland, John Hammond Jr., Taj Mahal, Mose Allison, and Cindi Lauper.

• Ross is a very dynamic singer & performer who plays a vast repertoire of blues, jazz, standards, rock ‘n’ roll, soul, New Orleans gumbo, and other roots music.

• Ross is a very talented multi-instrumentalist who plays electric guitar, slide guitar, acoustic guitar, and harmonica.

• Ross is a terrific songwriter who has written for Johnny Winter, The City Boys (with Bones Malone, Blue Lou Marini & Lew Soloff); Johnny Seaton (with Danny Gatton) and the ABC daytime drama “All My Children“.

• Ross worked and/or recorded with blues legends: Big Joe Turner, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John, Victoria Spivey, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Big Mama Thornton, Memphis Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Otis Rush, Brownie McGhee, Linda Hopkins, J.B. Hutto, Eddie Kirkland, Louisiana Red, Floyd Jones, Homesick James, Sunnyland Slim, and many others.

• Ross was inducted in the NY Blues Shall Of Fame in 2011.

• Ross is the subject of a 22 minute film produced by Liam J. Holland entitled, “Raw Blues: The Series Featuring Robert Ross”.

TWO QUOTES TO REMEMBER

Bill Carlton (NY Daily News) wrote: “Robert Ross is a fine singer, a snappy lyricist, and an even better blues rock guitarist … cut from the same cloth as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Johnny Winter … dazzling guitar …Time after time Ross delivers the goods.”

Bob Fass (Radio Un-nameable, WBAI-FM Pacifica Network) said: “(Robert Ross) is a blues icon. One of the great blues spirits.

At the Robert Ross Band website you can find audio, video, a full bio, photos, and more.

OUR OPEN MIC WILL BE HELD ON THE LAST SAT OF MAY