When 2026 kicks off, it will mark the 20th anniversary since Angela Brown, Nichol Stevenson and Rochelle “Coco Soul” Walker teamed up to present their first monthly open mic series. Café Soul changed the game for the St. Louis music scene.
Later joined by Tendai Morris, it was a run lasted nearly 15 years. Many artists who are now considered St. Louis music staples were given the platform – and the confidence – to share their gifts through Café Soul.
In addition to the St. Louis based talent, Café Soul brought national talent to the city – Carl Thomas, Syleena Johnson. Tweet, Ledisi, Eric Roberson and Rahsaan Patterson to name a few.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Café Soul
This weekend, Café Soul will get their anniversary celebration started early. St. Louis music lovers will get the rare opportunity to relive an epic moment when Café Soul: The Reunion takes place on Saturday at The House of Soul (1204 Washington Avenue).
“It will be a night to remember,” said Café Soul co-founder Nichol Stevenson. “One that is filled with soul and fire as we commemorate two decades of bringing together people through music.”
There are moments from the Café Soul days that will go down in St. Louis music history. One that stands out is when soul singer Syleena Johnson bowed to St. Louis’ own Angela Winbush and shared the stage with her for a rendition of Winbush’s quiet storm classic “Angel.”
Winbush proved that she still has the range – and was an embodiment of why Café Soul was so important: If given the opportunity, St. Louis artists have the power to shift culture with their contributions to whatever art form.
Café Soul regulars continued to prove this, both the singers and the musicians – many who gave said singers their first taste of singing with a live band.
The Lucas School House Days were particularly electric. Back then, guests gave a shout out to the artists on MySpace. The audience had a hand in the energy. They would shout “Sing!” and sometimes felt compelled to throw money on the stage. Years before TLC was compelled to ambush Tish Period, Tish Haynes motivated Café Soul audiences to maneuver through the packed crowd to slap a bill down.
“What a time to be alive,” Brown said as she remembered the Lucas School House days.
For someone who didn’t know the format and just moseyed in because they heard good music, it would be impossible to convince them that it was an open mic with each artist being the next name on the list.
Much like back then, Saturdays lineup of singers will be a surprise. Tendai will host and the band will consist of Café Soul’s original drummer Dirty Lynt. He will be joined by Café Soul staples Bud on the bass, Fred Lamont Patterson on the guitar and Mark Harris II on keys.
Much has changed since those early days. One of the challenges includes Stevenson’s battle with cancer – one she has continued to bravely fight for nearly a decade. Just before her diagnosis she had taken the leap of faith to open The House of Soul, a live music venue and event space.
“Music keeps me moving – and keeps me going down the path where I’m going,” she told The American in 2017. “It empowers and uplifts me as I try to get through to the next phase of the process.”
Café Soul: The Reunion was supposed to take place on Saturday, November 29, but St. Louis weather decided otherwise. Because of the date change to December 6, it was rolled into her previously scheduled birthday celebration at House of Soul.
“Let us come together to celebrate life, love and resilience,” Stevenson said.
Café Soul: The Reunion will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 6 at The House of Soul, 1204 Washington Avenue. For tickets and additional information, visit www.houseofsoulstlouis.com
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
