Authenticity in jazz is essential. Smooth jazz, to Shiloh Bell, or Café King as he prefers to be known, is more a lifestyle than a type of music. From the rich jazz musical legacy on Chicago‘s South Side to the distant reaches of mainland China, Café King has come a long way in cultural curiosity, artistic development, and sincere passion to share the warm blend of coffeehouse atmosphere and jazz with the globe.
Having spent his formative years in Chicago, Café King was surrounded by the vibrant legacy of jazz. He recalls the warm atmosphere of word-of-mouth cafes, the soulful murals of Bronzeville, and the jazz sounds wafting through Hyde Park’s cafes. For him, they were not nostalgia—they were formative ones. “The sound of jazz and the smell of coffee were magical to me,” he says. “These are the experiences that created my enthusiasm and respect for jazz.”
It wasn‘t until he moved to mainland China that he understood the extent to which those experiences had become ingrained in him. Being outside his home base allowed him to appreciate his home music and culture even more deeply. He saw firsthand the reception that Black culture and jazz, in particular, gave overseas. This opened his eyes, and he set off on his own journey to bring jazz‘ rich, uplifting heritage to the masses, reminding folks of its richness and beauty with his alter ego, Café King.
Whereas the majority in the music scene consider jazz a trend, or a revival, Café King doesn’t see it that way; it’s who he’s all about. “I’m a coffee shop veteran when it comes to life,” he says. “Coffee and jazz, it’s a way of life. My dedication to the style and the scene, that’s where the difference lies.” This isn’t an experiment with the music; it’s a branch of his own enthusiasm for the relaxed, intellectual, and deeply soulful sound that’s coffeehouse jazz.
King‘s vision, however, extends far beyond the online sites. While his immediate desire is to hear his tunes on coffeehouse playlists throughout the globe, his ultimate dream ambition remains to establish a chain of coffeehouses that are live performances as well, where the spoken word, jazz, and community interaction thrive. “Café King will bring life and good feelings back to the community,” he declares.
His music, to the listener, is the perfect accompaniment to relaxation, studying, or contemplative periods. Smooth jazz cuts are specifically designed for those who appreciate the joy of unwinding with a cup of coffee and a gentle tune, his catalog has been designed to appreciate the serenity that his music reflects.
As he opens more café outlets and releases more music for his brand, Café King, his mission remains the same: to spread positivity, love, and respect for jazz heritage deeply rooted in him. On online platforms or upcoming bricks-and-mortar outlets, his music bears witness to the enduring connection that exists between the coffeehouse and jazz heritage.
To join Café King on his journey, visit his website cafemusicking.com and check out his music on Spotify: Café King.
