Dan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra (CAO) performs an eclectic mix full of French flair, Latin heat and Bohemian attitude. The heart of the CAO repertoire is the romantic, gypsy-influenced valse-musette. Then, the group complements the musettes with swing, ballads, tangos, cha-chas, rumbas, and cumbias to create a wonderfully varied show. Moreover, they inject their music with good humor and expressive abandon.

CAO is led by Dan Newton on accordion and vocals, with Eric Mohring on mandolin, violin and vocals. Also, Brian Barnes on guitar and vocals, Erik Lillestol on bass and vocals, and Joe Steinger on percussion. CAO has been delighting audiences and dancers alike since 1995.

One might wonder how a group of musicians in Minnesota end up forming a band that plays French musette. Additionally, hot club swing, Tin Pan Alley, Latin music and cinematic themes. There, it all started with a tune composed in 1992 by Newton. Dan had been introduced to the Parisian sidewalk cafe accordion sound while teaching at a music camp. Then, a friend commented that one of the tunes in particular sounded like “cafe accordion” music.

Prudence Johnson’s career has taken her from honky-tonks to Carnegie Hall, from the theater stage to the Silver Screen, from the Midwest to the Middle East. Also, with her roots in folk and country music, Prudence developed a passion for jazz.