Mary J Blige -  American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. Her career began in 1991 when she was signed to Uptown Records. She went on to release 13 studio albums, eight of which have achieved multi-platinum worldwide sales. Lee Ritenour - American jazz guitarist who has been active since the late 1960s. Rahsaan Patterson - American […]

George Duke - American keyboardist, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer. He worked with numerous artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and as a professor of music. Phil Perry - American R&B singer, songwriter, musician and a former member of the soul group, The Montclairs, from 1971 to 1975. He was also […]

C.P. Spencer - American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer for the Motown label in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a native of Detroit, Michigan. Best known for being a member of the Motown quartet The Originals.  

Allen Toussaint - American musician, songwriter, arranger and record producer, who was an influential figure in New Orleans rhythm and blues from the 1950s to the end of the century, described as "one of popular music's great backroom figures". Clarence Carter -  American blues and soul singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. His most successful […]

George Brown - Founding member of Kool & the Gang which became one of the most inspired and influential funk units during the '70s, and one of the most popular R&B groups of the '80s after their breakout #1 hit "Celebration" in 1979. They released 7 Gold and Platinum albums. Fonce Mizell - American record producing team in the […]

Aaliyah - American singer, actress and model. She has been credited for helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop". Sade - British singer, songwriter, and actress, known as the lead singer of her eponymous band. She has been credited as […]

Cedar Walton - American hard bop jazz pianist. He came to prominence as a member of drummer Art Blakey's band before establishing a long career as a bandleader and composer. Eartha Kitt - American singer, actress, dancer, voice actress, comedienne, activist, author, and songwriter known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings […]

David Ruffin - American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations during the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known. He was the lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." Frankie Knuckles - American […]

Booker Newbury - American singer and keyboardist, who was a member of the mid 1970s soul groups Sweet Thunder, and Impact, before pursuing a solo career. He is probably best remembered for his 1983 hit "Love Town". Harry McGilberry - American R&B and soul singer and latter-day bass singer for The Temptations between 1995 and […]

Ron Townson - American vocalist. He was an original member of The 5th Dimension, a popular vocal group of the late 1960s and early 1970s; he is the only original member of the group who is no longer living. Billy Powell - Founding member of the R&B group The O'Jays.  

Edwin Starr - American singer and songwriter. Starr was famous for his Norman Whitfield-produced Motown singles of the 1970s, most notably the number-one hit "War". Richie Havens - American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music encompassed elements of folk, soul, and rhythm and blues. Snooks Eaglin - American guitarist and singer based in New Orleans. In […]

Nolan Strong - Detroit based singer of the R&B group The Diablos.   Sam Cooke - American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He was also influential as a composer and producer, and is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocals and significance in popular music.