Café Accordion Orchestra (CAO) performs an eclectic mix of vintage Swing, Latin, American, and French Café Music. The band first formed in 1994 with the idea of recreating the repertoire of Bal Musette orchestras, the bands that were popular in Parisian cafés and bistros in the 1920’s through 1950’s. While this romantic music is still at the heart of CAO’s play-list, they have expanded their repertoire to include Colombian Cumbia, Tex-Mex Polka, Brazilian Forro and Chorro, movie themes, and anything else that the members find appealing. Led by the quietly dazzling Dan Newton, this quintet knows the value of understatement, subtlety, and genuine swing.

CAO’s high level of musicianship, expressive abandon, and good-natured passion for performance makes them an entertaining concert act. They have presented their accessible approach to European and American music across the country and on the continent. Café Accordion appeared at the 2005 International Akkordeon Festival in Vienna, Austria, the birthplace of the accordion. They have been a repeat performer at the Midsummer Night Swing series at the Lincoln Center in New York, Bastille Days in Milwaukee, the Towers in Narragansett, RI, and the Minnesota State Fair. In July 2008 CAO released their seventh album, GERMAINE.

A New Year, A New Chapter for Café Accordion
Café Accordion Orchestra is led by DAN NEWTON on accordion and vocals with  ERIC MOHRING on mandolin, fiddle and vocals, ERIK LILLESTOL on bass, JOE STEINGER on percussion. In 2008 CAO bid a fond farewell to Brian Barnes, as their guitarist and vocalist of 15 years moved to Kentucky to set up business in his home town. With one old friend gone, the band has upped the ante by welcoming two old friends back to the fold.

Singer/poet/songwriter DIANE JARVI was a member of CAO from 1996-98, and is featured on the band’s first CD, Dancing on the Moon. Since leaving CAO as a full-time member, she has continued to work closely with members of the band, and many of them have appeared on her fine recordings. Diane has an astounding range, and an incredible grasp of languages, singing in Finnish, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and even some languages that are no longer spoken.

Guitarist BOB EKSTRAND is possibly one of the Twin Cities best-kept 6 string secrets. He is a masterful performer with diverse interests and influences. Bob has been a regular sub on guitar and bass for CAO over the years. He also performs with the Daddy Squeeze Trio, Jumbo Ya Ya, Janie Miller’s Tribute to Patsy Cline, and Nuvo Buffalo.
 
The January concert at the Cedar has become a tradition for CAO. Become a part of the tradition yourself! There will be room for dancing in the wings.

Tickets are on sale now from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.
$12 advance
$15 day of show

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