Ed Starrett - Guitarist/Producer/Booking Contact
Soul Cafe Voted #1 by St. Louis Jazz Radio as best new artist providing a very creative palette of great jazz with a killer horn section and St. Louis' hottest players. Soul Café combines several colorful palettes of jazz including (Smooth, Fusion, Funk, Latin, and Swing) along with a killer horn section to bring a defined solid delivery for the sophisticated appreciation of the distinguished listener. Sit back, relax, savor the moment, and satisfy the passion and emotion your soul desires with some great St. Louis based comtemporary jazz.
The CD “Unspoken Request” covers a wide variety of jazz styles to entice the ears of any jazz enthusiast. Most notably, track #2 (“Trujillo”) is a passionate “Tribute” track to honor the fine session bassist Abraham Laboriel. “Trujillo” is a tribute track which was inspired by the title song and recording called “Guidum” by the gifted bassist Abraham Laboriel. Trujillo is a village located on the coast of Honduras where Abraham’s parents were born. “Guidum” was originally written by Abraham’s father as a lament while waiting and longing to marry his future bride. Abraham provides a refreshing new instrumental rendition of the song to show gratitude for his rich family heritage.
The song entitled “Trujillo” is dedicated to that same rich heritage and it also symbolizes how he has been such a strong musical and spiritual influence for Soul Café over the years. Soul Café’s band leader Ed Starrett had the privilege of meeting with Abraham Laboriel in Chicago and presenting him with this recording and he was very humbled and honored by such a gift of gratitude. There has always been a tremendous respect for his talent and integrity and it was only fitting that we offer this dedication in a likewise manner.
Soul Café was founded in 1998 by Ed Starrett aka “Mr. Ed”, a premier guitarist & composer in the St. Louis area that has studied with such guitarists as Fareed Haque and Bobby Broom. Ed has also played with the renowned R&B/Funk drummer “Zoro” and has played extensively with Keyboardist Tim Pascoal who recently has recorded with Dave Weckl, Richard Bona, Bob Mintzer, Russell Ferrante, and Tom Kennedy.
Over the years guitarist/composer Ed Starrett has developed the bands sound by writing and performing original compositions. This collaboration has developed into a sound that is a signature which is unique and diverse across the musical spectrum. Soul Café has been influenced by some of the greats such as Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Chuck Loeb, Abraham Laboriel, Steely Dan and many more.
Aaron Giraudo - Tenor & Soprano Saxophone
Aaron Giraudo was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. He grew up listening to various types of music when he was younger. Aaron says, "When I was 11 or 12 years old, I used to listen to, and play along with, my parent's old vinyl records on a Hi-Fi we had in our basement. I came across a Junior Walker and The All-Stars album and I was hooked from then on." In high school Aaron was awarded with being in the All-Suburban jazz band and the All-State jazz band his senior year. He then went on to study music at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In 2004 he graduated with a Bachelors of Music degree in Jazz Performance. During his time at SIUE he studied under Jason Swagler, Reggie Thomas, Rick Haydon and Brett Stamps. In addition, he was given the opportunity to play with talented artists like the Four Tops, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew and various other groups. Currently, Aaron is a freelance musician working in the St. Louis area where he plays with various groups, including Soul Cafe'.
Tim Quarells - Drums
Tim Quarells - Tim grew up as a church drummer born in St.Louis, MO. How I first got into music is coming up around my family and being raised in church. My whole family is basically one big band and choir. I was in the classical and marching band all through school. I love playing the drums, but can also play the piano. Dave Weckl and Virgil Donati are my favorite drummers......period!!! I have played for Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin and The Family, Levi King, Nikko Smith, Praiz, God's Chosen, and Bishop Charles E. Blake. I like listening to Gospel, all Jazz, Christian, Country, Classical, and Contemporary rock. Musically I'm influenced by my dad (piano/organ), uncle (piano/organ), brother(bass/drums), Dave Weckl, Oscar Peterson, and Jay Oliver. My personal inspirations are Jesus, my family, close friends, and the Soul Cafe Band.
Bruce Crask - Bass
Bruce Crask grew up in St. Louis and began his musical journey in the 4th grade on trumpet in school bands. When he reached his early teens he was learning guitar and switched to bass just to accommodate all the other guitarists at the family & friends’ jam sessions. He majored in music and was touring the country with a band at age 19, which was many, many years ago. When the 80’s came he was a touring musician, playing and recording with Top-40, Rock, Pop, Funk, Country and New-Wave bands from California to Colorado.
Life on the road was a dream come true… then he woke up, and decided to come back to Missouri where he had grown up, and continues to play regularly at church, and with local bands including Soul Cafe, taking on occasional recording session projects and gigs for traveling acts that come to town.