THE CAFE WHA? BAND

Kim's Cafe Wha? tale begins with her subbing for Disfunktion on Tuesday nights, singing Motown and R&B. Shortly there after, 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 gracious and kind; her backup vocals are perfection. When she is center stage, it's a whole other story. Kim's vocal range and ability to uphold a single note is extraordinary and 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 with her.

Kim is the mom of twins, a boy and a girl, and her moments outside the Wha? are dedicated to her family. She also loves to shop, shop and shop, and makes floral arrangements in her spare time.

Back in Senegal, Amadou mostly played jazz and fusion. He listened to George Benson and Wes Montgomery, becoming influenced by their styles. Five years ago Amadou came to the States to pursue his musical dream. The Cafe Wha? made it happen. Not only has it lent itself as a workplace, but "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 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.

Weekly at the Cafe 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 the guy who plays rock; he is a musical director for the Cafe 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 comes alive. May he be singing Radiohead, Pearl Jam, The Who or Pink Floyd; for Bryan, this is when his personality shines. His voice carries dimension 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 Cafe Wha? Bryan is a homebody. And above all music and all facets of life, he is an extremely happy newlywed.

Over seven years ago Byron did a favor for a friend and filled in for a night at the Cafe 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 and when he sings he does it with his eyes closed and a humble smile on his face. 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 with out any expectations; 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 a reference point to promote the creative world of Byron and those who surround him. It is graceful and it recognizes sound universally; it is quiet and constantly for the enjoyment of life.

Brockett is game for playing any style which makes the Cafe 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, allowing him to go 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. He's notorious for snatching the mic to bust out with 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 sees it. Three times a week he exercises; he finds being in the best physical shape beneficial to his playing.

For the past twenty years, Eric Adams has been in and out of the Cafe Wha? He has spent chunks of time on tour with various acclaimed musicians, but when he comes back to the Cafe Wha? he comes home.

Behind the large piece of Plexiglas, Eric successfully drives the band. Though he is hard to see from the crowded aisles, his energy is present, pulsating between the basement walls. As the spinal chord, Eric maintains a constant balance among the various styles of music performed. It's hard to believe he doesn't have an extra set of arms and legs.

Along with spending time with his family, Eric is the musical director for Kitty Hawk Artist Development Services. Their mission is to help various artists develop and succeed with their talents.

A cunning personality, a unique sense of fashion and the knack for uplifting speech is what makes Conner the ideal host for the Cafe Wha? band, and a genuine one at that. When he isnÕt 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." Its 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, he was told by his manager that he talked a lot, like a reverend, the nickname stuck. With all seriousness, 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 the 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 Cafe Wha?" But you have to be a trooper and make it to 3:30am to hear this tune.

Jesus is first generation American of Puerto Rican descent, but more importantly the original drummer for the Café Wha? band. When he first started playing the Wha?, twenty-two years ago, the village had an explosive folk scene with a Mediterranean influence. If anyone is a scholar of the Wha?’s history, it’s this guy. Over time Jesús left the drums and put on many different hats; percussionist, singer and lighting engineer.

Whenever something is missing, whether it is rhythmic or vocal, Jesus is there to fill in the gaps. If there is a need for the Gipsy Kings or Santana, he's got that covered too. Amid his conga drums, bell trees and other various percussive gadgets, Jesus encompasses the audience by the means of time and illumination. Jesus recognizes the art behind fabricating a light show. It's not about flashing wild colors in your face, but enhancing the texture of sound, creating eye candy. In addition to time and light, "I bring a sense of humor to the band."

Playing at the Wha? keeps Jesus loose and he finds himself lucky to not be stuck playing one genre of music. Walking the streets of New York City looking for inspiration is Jesus' favorite pastime.

Mike began singing when he was a boy in church, but not by choice, he never wanted to join the choir. In Brooklyn at the New Zion Baptist Church, the older congregants, his family, would literally shove him to the front to sing. In MikeÕs case, a few pushy people moved him a long way.

Gospel roots are ever present in Mike's tone. His voice has that "thing", a deep rhythm and blues quality mixed with a lot of soul. The essence of bebop can also be found in his vocals, which is evidenced by his exception rhythmic sense. Another thing about Mike is his versatility. As casual as the sun, Mike goes from singing KC and the Sunshine Band to screaming Nirvana. It is representative of his sense of humor on stage, some people get it and others don't. "I have a sense of humor that all may not understand." His intent is to get the crowd up and dancing and he always does!

Back in 1992 Mike had a song that went to the top of the BBC music charts and continues to entertain all over the globe. In addition to being a 20 year veteran of the Cafe Wha? band he also sings with Disfunction on Tuesday nights. Mike is, "Happily married with two kids and a blessed life."