Hugh Masekela - South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Jill Scott - American singer-songwriter, model, poet and actress. Her 2000 debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, went platinum, and the follow-ups Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 […]
Tony Williams - Lead singer of the Platters from 1953 to 1960. Nicholas Caldwell - American singer and musician, and original member of R&B vocal group The Whispers.
Donald Myrick - American saxophonist. He played alto, tenor and soprano sax and was a member of Earth, Wind & Fire's original horn section, The Phenix Horns Esq. from 1975 through 1982. Previously, Myrick had been a member of the musical group The Pharaohs. Richard "Popcorn" Wylie - American pianist, bandleader, songwriter, occasional singer, and […]
Billie Holiday - American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner Lester Young, Holiday had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop singing. Ron Kersey - American keyboardist, songwriter, producer and arranger most known for writing the music to "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps. Freddie Hubbard - […]
Deke Richards - American songwriter and record producer who was affiliated with Motown. He was a member of both The Clan and The Corporation, the latter a production team that wrote and produced some of The Jackson 5's early hits.
Steve Gadd - American drummer, percussionist, and session musician. Gadd is one of the most well-known and highly regarded session and studio drummers in the industry, recognized by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1984.
Babyface - American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has written and produced over 26 number-one R&B hits throughout his career and has won 12 Grammy Awards. He was ranked number 20 on NME's 50 of The Greatest Producers Ever list. Bobby Smith - American R&B singer notable as the principal lead singer of the […]
Jimmy Lewis - American double bassist who worked with the Count Basie Orchestra and sextet in the 1950s and with Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams, Billie Holiday and Ivory Joe Hunter before moving to bass guitar during his time with King Curtis. He provided the basslines for the musical Hair. Cleotha Staples - Founding member of […]
Herbie Hancock - American pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, composer, and actor.
Al Green - American singer, songwriter and record producer best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including "Take Me to the River", "Tired of Being Alone", "I'm Still in Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and his signature son, "Let's Stay Together". Peabo Bryson - American R&B and […]
Jerry Knight - American R&B vocalist and bassist who reached prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Along with Ray Parker Jr., he was a founding member of the group Raydio, singing vocals on their early hit "Jack and Jill."
Mighty Sam McClain - American soul blues singer and songwriter. Jo Jo Benson - American R&B and soul singer better known under his stage name Jo Jo Benson. He was best known for his recordings in the late 1960s with Peggy Scott. Jeff Golub - American jazz guitarist who had a solo career and who […]
