Soul Café Biographies
Ed Starrett–
Guitar/Founder of Soul Café
Soul Café was founded in 1998 by Ed Starrett aka “Mr. Ed”, a premier guitarist and composer in the St. Louis area. Ed studied with such guitarists as Fareed Haque and Bobby Broom and has had opportunities to play with renowned R&B/funk drummer “Zoro” as well as keyboardist Jay Oliver (Dave Weckl Band). Soul Café has played at the Chesterfield Jazz Festival, Wine Dine Jazz Fest as the headliner for three years, The Wildey Theatre, The Webster Jazz and Blues Fest, St. Louis Art Fair, Clayton Art Fair, The Ozark Theatre, BB’s Jazz & Blues as well as numerous private gigs.
Over the years, Ed has developed the band’s sound in fusion jazz by composing and performing original compositions. Additionally, Soul Café performs the works of artists such as the Yellowjackets, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci, Lee Ritenour and Chuck Loeb.
In 2003 Soul Café was voted #1 by St. Louis Jazz Radio as best new artist. Recently the band made the top 88 by WSIE jazz radio 88.7. The new album “Step Aside” is a collaborative effort with the band members composing an all original project produced by saxophonist Jason Swagler. The band recently signed with Autumn Hill Records which is the new record label for The Dave Weckl Band, Tom Kennedy, Jay Oliver, Gary Meek and local artist Scott Jones.
Jason Swagler–
Saxophone/Producer
Saxophonist Jason Swagler is Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. Since 2000, he has taught jazz ensembles, private applied jazz saxophone, and courses with subjects ranging from music theory and western music history, to jazz history. Jason is also an instructor for the Jazz St. Louis All-Stars, the premier student ensemble in the Jazz St. Louis educational outreach program.
Jason is the producer for Soul Café’s newest project “Step Aside” which includes compositions and horn arrangements recorded with colleagues Garrett Schmidt (Trumpet) and Cody Henry (Trombone).
Jason is the founding member of the bands: Vargas Swing and Commonwealth and he has logged thousands of performances over his career. In addition to leading and recording his own groups, he is an in-demand sideman lending his musical support to Michael McDonald, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, Brian Owens, Reggie and Mardra Thomas, Peter Martin, Denise Thimes, Anita Jackson, Erin Bode, Montez Coleman, Charles Glenn, The Coleman Hughes Project and many others.
Jerry Scruggs–
Keyboards
Anyone who has been around the St. Louis area music scene has probably crossed paths with Jerry Scruggs. He is well known in the music scene and a first call player whenever there is an important event or recording session planned. Jerry is the Music Director for his church and a phenomenal addition to the Soul Café band.
He is widely known for his ability to play very complicated and sophisticated progressive Jazz with an awareness of each nuance, while understanding of every musician’s role and contribution.
At an early age, Jerry started playing the drums and singing in church. By the age of ten he began to pick up the trombone. By the time he turned eleven, he discovered his ability of “Perfect Pitch”.
Jerry is an accomplished musician and one of his major influences is the Yellowjackets. He has shared the stage with many great local and nationally known artists such as Kirk Franklin, John P. Kee and many others.
Tim Quarells–
Drums
Tim grew up as a church drummer in St. Louis, Missouri. He first got into music being around his family and being raised around church music. His whole family was basically one big band and choir.
Tim was in the classical band and marching band all through school. He had a strong love for playing the drums as well as the keyboards.
Tim’s major influences include Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati, Oscar Peterson and Jay Oliver. He has shared the stage with Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Levi King, Nikko Smith and many others. His other personal inspirations are his family, close friends and the Soul Café Jazz Group.
Charles “Bud” Quarells–
Bass
Bud is currently a very busy, in demand, bass player in the St. Louis area. He began playing bass after originally becoming an accomplished drummer. His prolific style on the bass is evident every time you hear him play.
Bud is an amazing addition to the Soul Café Jazz Group and adds a strong depth and dimension to the progressive styles of the band.
Bud’s influences include the Yellowjackets, Dave Weckl as well as many other progressive jazz artists. He also plays locally in church along with Soul Café Keyboardist Jerry Scruggs. He has traveled extensively performing and recording.
Donald Williams–
Percussion
Donald is an amazing and gifted percussionist who possesses the ability to listen with acuity while adding just the right touch to every tune. He has a vast array of percussion instruments; whether playing live or recording in the studio. His education has included studies at the Washington University Jazz lab and the Katherine Dunham school of performing arts with master instructors Arthur Moore and James Bell.
Donald has contributed to countless regional and local artists and projects. He is also influenced by many styles of Jazz artists such as Alex Acuna and Luis Conte. He has worked with Brian Owens, Frank McCombs, Yolanda Adams and Ben Tankard, just to name a few. His contribution to the Soul Café Jazz Group has been widely acclaimed for many years.