My continuing journey through music would never have been possible without the guidance, inspiration and talent of my fellow musicians.
I continue to marvel at their abilities and strive to live up to the standards set by their prodigious capacities for creativity and excellence. I lift my glass to you all, pouring a little on the ground for those past, and savoring the rest for posterity. Please explore the amazing accomplishments of my musical friends by following the provided links.
- Music Teachers: Joseph Sansone, Dave Barren, Dennis Sandole, Pat Martino
- Mentors:
- Mtume Production and songwriting partner, and bandmate from 1972 – 1982
- Friends:
- Bass
Anthony Jackson, Alphonso “Slim” “Embamba” Johnson, John Lee, Basil Fearrington, Stanley Clarke, Michael Henderson, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Marcus Miller
- Keyboards Eddie Green, Harold “Ivory” Williams, Cedric Lawson, Lonnie Liston Smith, Hubert Eaves, Harry Whitaker, Fred Zarr, Dean Gant, Ed Walsh, Pete Cannarozzi, Onaje Allen Gumbs, Richard Tee
- Drums Norman Fearrington, Sherman Ferguson, Norman Connors, Howard King, Gerry Brown, Brian Brake, Leon “Ndugu” Chancellor, Steve Jordan, Al Foster, Raymond Calhoun, Leslie Ming, Steve Ferrone
- Guitar Pete Cosey, Ed “Tree” Moore, William “Spaceman” Paterson, Ira Siegal, Al McKay, Hiram Bullock
- Saxophone Gary Bartz, John Stubblefield, Carlos Garnett, Azar Lawrence, Dave Liebman, Sonny Fortune, Bobby Malach
- Trumpet Victor Paz, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Danny Coleman, Sinclair Acey Percussion – Mtume, Bashiri, Badal Roy
- Philly Crew Robert Kenyatta, Edgar Bateman, Andy Aaron, Nate Murray, Candy Rae, Lacy White, Byard Lancaster, Charlie Scott, Tyrone Blythe, Twig, Stump, Alfie Williams, Art Webb
- Strings and Horns Wade Marcus, Dunn Pearson, Leroy Jenkins, Al Brown, Gene Bianco
- Vocalists Leslie Lucas (my beautiful, sweet, talented wife), Tawatha Agee, Norma Jean Wright, Gwen Guthrie, Brenda White-King, Freddie Jackson, Luther Vandross, Lisa Fisher, Andy Bey, Mark Cohn, Philip Manuel, Richard Smallwood, Angela Winbush, Elette Ricks, Shelton Becton, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jean Carne, Billy Cliff
- Engineers Jim “Doc” Dougherty, Jay Marks, Joe Ferla, Gerry Block, Jim Gallagher
- Producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Skip Drinkwater, Jerry Schoenbaum, Teo Macero, Norman Connors
- Special thanks
Andre Perry, Marvin Cane, Sidney Herman, George Weiss, Clive Davis, Seymour Stein, Michael Rosenblatt, Benita Brazier, Bill Heywood, Cliff Burnstein, Mo Ostin, Larkin Arnold, Neil Portnow, Harvey Bruce, Ray Harris, Larry Palmacci , Tom Draper, Art Kass, Jame Finney, Bob Hurwitz, Benny Medina, Jeff Aldrich, Steve Moir, Sue Drew, Paul Schindler, Judy Tint, Bob Flax, Kendall Minter, Stu Silfen, Fred Murphy, David Nathan, Henry Allen, Vernon Slaughter, Leonard Kalikow, Tony Hall and Shep Gordon