James Harrell McGriff (April 3, 1936-May 24-2008) actually grew up and studied in Philadelphia, but Trenton is where he made a name for himself and earned the attention that led to his first record deal. Along fellow Philadelphians Jimmy Smith and Richard “Groove” Holmes, he is considered one of the kings of the jazz organ, […]

Joseph Zuccarrello (Joe Zook) is a veteran blues guitarist and vocalist who, along with Paul Plumeri, Sr., has become the standard bearer of the blues tradition in Trenton and throughout the region. His repertoire includes traditional blues, electric blues and R&B. According to his website, he has shared the bill with such greats as Buddy […]

Kim Covington is a vocalist who has performed extensively in France and Italy. A graduate of Trenton High School, her music career began at the age of five, singing in  a church choir. She studied music at the Conservatory of Music at Trenton, and at Douglass College, Rutgers, University.  According to her website, her credits […]

Steve Kramer is a Princeton, New Jersey pianist, music teacher and former member of the new  Artie Shaw band.  According to his website biography, his performing credits include playing for Broadway, the Ice Capades, and for such notable performers as Mel Torme. He has also performed with such Trentonians as Clifford Adams and RIchie Cole. […]

Paul Robeson (1898-1976) was an  athlete, scholar, artist and activist who was revered for his almost superhuman talents and, at times, reviled for his political positions. He used his artistic talents, speaking skills and celebrity on behalf of the defendants in the infamous Trenton Six murder case. He was born in Princeton, New Jersey to […]

Paul Plumeri is well known among Trenton musicians as a master blues guitarist and vocalist. He has been playing with local bands and national acts for more than 30 years. He has also been a popular blues guitar teacher for more than 25 years. As his website bio explains, Plumeri began playing in clubs when […]

Steve Burgh was a respected guitarist and producer whose credits included work with such luminaries ad Jimi Hendrix, Gladys Knight and Billy Joel. His career began as a teenager in Trenton with the band Jacob’s Creek, which also included fellow Trentonians Lon and Derrek van Eaton, and Bruce Stephen Foster.  He also founded a recording studio, Baby […]

Ernie White is a guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and educator who achieved major-label success, and who continues to attract loyal fans who support not only his music, but also his charitable initiatives for poverty stricken residents of Mercer County. In addition to his own band, White has become known for his work with Sam the Band […]

From his Wikipedia page: Ernest Edward “Ernie” Kovacs (January 23, 1919 – January 13, 1962) was an American comedian, actor, and writer. Kovacs’ visually experimental and often spontaneous comedic style influenced numerous television comedy programs for years after his death by automobile accident. Many shows, such as Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, Saturday Night Live,Monty Python, […]

From a NJ.com article: Her name and her voice are familiar to anyone who has ever lived in Trenton, sat in a supper club where she sang or discussed the legends that came and conquered the residents of New Jersey’s capital city. “I started singing at the former Lanzi’s in South Trenton around 1971, she […]