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“font-family: Verdana;”>“She fits the bill perfectly,” Café Soul co-founder Nichol Stevenson said about Syleena Johnson. “She has been underrated, but she has one of the most familiar and identifiable voices in R&B music. Syleena is the perfect example of good classic soul music.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Tomorrow night Johnson will come to town and help Café Soul, one of the most successful long-running open mic series in recent years, rejoice at five years in the game.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I can’t wait,” Johnson said about her upcoming St. Louis performance. “I’m excited to be back and give people what they haven’t heard in a while. Expect some signature Syleena and maybe some cool fun surprises.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In a delightful coincidence, five is a common denominator for Johnson and the ladies of Café Soul. As she prepares for her Café Soul debut at the 5th anniversary, she is also excited to be returning to the music scene after a hiatus with her fifth album. Chapter V: Underrated drops September 27.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The most important message that I hope to convey to listeners with Chapter V is strength,” Johnson said. “That’s the thesis for this album. I want to show that I’ve remained strong and I’m focused. There hasn’t been enough shine offered to real singers lately. But I’m hoping that what I’m doing on the new album will be bringing it back to the forefront.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Johnson’s upcoming crusade for the crooners actually falls in line with the intention Café Soul founders Stevenson, Angela Brown and Rochelle “Coco Soul” Walker (who moved on from the organization last year to focus on her singing career) had in mind when they created the monthly open mic event five years ago.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Their hope was to create a platform for quality performing artists to hone their craft and showcase the potential that lies within St. Louis. Since that time Café Soul has grown into so much more. They have presented national artists, teamed up to co-sponsor talent showcases like the Budweiser Superfest Opening Act (which gave Café Soul alum Theresa Payne the opportunity to open for Jill Scott), in addition to their monthly duties of presenting a show of national concert caliber at The Loft featuring the best and brightest talent in town.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I wanted us to be a landmark – a stamp here in St. Louis,” Stevenson said. “I’m never completely satisfied, but considering this market and how it goes I think we’ve been successful. Our brand has become very recognizable – and we feel good about being a household name.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>It was exactly what they set out to do when Café Soul started with a core group of singers, poets and musicians back in 2006. The locations have changed and some might say the vibe has gone from hardcore soul to a more inclusive R&B feel. But the purpose of extending the opportunity to perform for rising artists has remained.
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“We are going strong,” Stevenson said. “After five years we are still part of the race and I see us bringing it and climbing up the ladder for the next five.”
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“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Café Soul’s 5th Anniversary Celebration starring Syleena Johnson takes place on Friday, September 16 at the Loft (3112 Olive). Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information about the show or Café Soul, call (314) 504-7405.
