Interactive Timeline by Joanna DiCicco. Used with permission Richie Cole was and still is an influential musician in Trenton. Cole was born and raised in Trenton, influenced by his father who owned a jazz club in the area. He played the saxophone for several Big Bands and created his own unique Orchestra, the Alto Madness Orchestra, […]

As schoolboys, drummer Scotty Miller and bassist Raymond Earl formed the nucleus of the band that became Instant Funk in the mid-1960s. Billboard summarizes their impact: The Trenton, NJ, band started out with the core lineup of bassist Raymond Earl, drummer Scotty Miller, and guitarist Kim Miller. It later expanded to include keyboardist Dennis Richardson; lead […]

From the artist’s Allmusic.com biography by Ed Hogan: Trenton, NJ-born guitarist/bassist Raymond Earl was an integral member of Philly soul band Instant Funk, who in turn was part of MFSB, the studio aggregation that was the house band for Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International Records. Earl followed the lead of his older brothers, […]

From the Allmusic.com biography by Ed Hogan It may come as a surprise to some that fast-as-quicksilver rhythm guitarist Kim Miller of ’70s Philly soul band Instant Funk likes smooth jazz groups like the Rippingtons, but it’s true. Then again, listen to Miller‘s songs, which are sprinkled throughout the recordings he did with Instant Funk […]

From the artist’s website: From her beginnings with Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles (the sweethearts of The Apollo Theater); to LaBelle (a trio made up of Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash) — the groundbreaking rock funk band of the 70s; followed by a stunning solo career; and then inducted into The Rhythm & Blues Foundations’ Hall […]

From the artist’s website: Ja-Tun is a singer – songwriter who puts a new-school spin on some old-fashioned musical virtues. Like musicianship. Like respect for the songwriter’s craft. Like never forgetting that it’s all about the audience. A New Jersey native, Ja-Tun discovered her passion for music early.She’s fond of recalling that her parents played […]

      Devoura “Lady Dee” Wise is a member of The Amazing Grace Little Band.  She is a background vocalist for Grace Little, the lead vocalist of the band.  

From the artist’s website: She has sung with some of the greatest names in pop, rock and R&B – try The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper, The Marshall Tucker Band, Laura Nyro, The O’Jays, Wilson Pickett and Bo Diddley among others. She has appeared on shows with hundreds of renowned recording artists – from Keith Richards […]

From the artist’s website: Kelly Carvin is a raw, rebellious and sensual Folk Rock artist and songwriter based out of New Jersey, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. Kelly discovered music as a young teen when she was expelled from high school and sent to an alternative school that conveniently had a music program. A teacher […]

From their Wikipedia page: Poor Righteous Teachers is a hip hop group from Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1989.[1] Often referred to as PRT by its fans, Poor Righteous Teachers is known as a pro-Black conscious hip hop group, with musical content inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths. Wise Intelligent, […]