Bio from the artist’s website: Dennis Guevara was born in Trenton, NJ. Guevara began his musical studies in piano at the Boys Harbor Conservatory of Music. He later graduated from Mercer County Community College and the City College of New York with a degree in Music Performance. Guevara has performed with various Jazz, Latin Jazz, […]

James Stewart was born in Trenton NJ on February 24th 1957 He started playing the violin at age 9 and switched to clarinet at age 12. At age 15 he began playing the alto saxophone, and tenor at 16… he was a senior in high school when he started on flute. The late Thomas Grice […]

According to his obituary and an online site where several mementos of his friendship with comedian Lenny Bruce were auctioned, Lewis de Pasquale was a Trenton-born jazz organist who accompanied such notables as Ella Fitzgerald,  Sarah Vaughan and Sonny Stitt.  At the time of his death on September 26, 2001 at the age of 71, […]

From the Trentonian obituary: TRENTON – Local jazz great, Johnnie Coles, 89, departed this life to be with the Lord on Thursday, Mar. 24, 2011, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton. Johnnie was a native Trentonian born to the late John W. Sr. and Virginia Lacy Coles. He was also preceded in death […]

Peter Lauffer is a pianist and educator who made his debut with the Trenton Symphony in 1973, according to his website. He regularly performs with Richie Cole. He also has an extensive resume as a music educator at Westminister Choir College, The College of New Jersey, Mercer County Community College,  and several secondary institutions in […]

Wenonah Brooks is a jazz singer in the tradition of a Sarah Vaughan or Ella Fitzgerald – the kind of singer for whom melody is central. She credits her approach to music to her grandfather, a preacher who had been a singer as young man. The Hopewell, New Jersey native began her singing career as […]

Wilford “Bill” Holcombe (1924-2010) was a flutist, saxophonist, composer arranger known for his work with such prominent musicians as Tommy Dorsey and Peter Nero, as well as his film scores.  He also founded Musicians Publications. A graduate of Trenton High school and Julliard, he remained in the area throughout his life.  He began playing with […]

“Old Blue Eyes” was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, but he performed in Trenton on several occasions and was a familiar face at his favorite restaurants in the Chambersburg section of the city. Trenton was also where he fulfilled a less pleasant obligation: testifying before the New Jersey State Investigative Commission on his alleged ties […]

Tom Littwin is a jazz bassist who has worked with such notable artists as Richie Cole, Gerald Veasley and Clifford Adams in addition to leading his own trio. He performs regularly at local venues, including Trenton’s Candlelight club.  During the fall of 2016, he was a student researcher on the Trenton Makes Music project.   […]

Warren Vaughn was a jazz pianist and vocalist whose talent was evident even in his youth in Trenton. While he was still a student at the New Lincoln School, he was chosen to accompany Paul Robeson in concert. Vaughn became  popular supper club performer in venues throughout the continental US and Puerto Rico. Here is […]