(December 19, 1942 – May 8, 2011)
Cornell Dupree began his illustrious career as a member of the studio band for Atlantic Records. It was here that Dupree lent his guitar skills to some of the most iconic artists of the time, including the legendary Aretha Franklin. His contributions can be notably heard in her groundbreaking live album, "Aretha Live at Fillmore West," capturing the soul and raw energy that defined an era. As a member of King Curtis's band, The King Pins, Dupree further cemented his place in the music scene, collaborating with musicians he grew up with in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dupree's musical journey was a mixture of collaborations and solo performances. He made his mark on the 1969 recording "Lena & Gabor," a project featuring the exquisite talents of Lena Horne and Gábor Szabó. Throughout the years, his discography expanded to include collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Archie Shepp, Grover Washington Jr., Snooky Young, and none other than Miles Davis, showcasing his versatile style that effortlessly bridged genres.

One of Dupree's memorable contributions to popular music came in 1970 when he played guitar on Brook Benton's classic hit, "Rainy Night in Georgia." This soulful ballad, steeped in emotion, became a staple of its era, highlighting Dupree's ability to enhance any piece with his signature guitar work. His talents were not only recognized in the studio; he found himself in the public eye when, in December 1972, he was involved in an automobile accident in Manhattan, along with fellow artists Roberta Flack and Jerry Jemmott, drawing attention to his resilience and dedication to music.

As the 1970s progressed, Dupree partnered with the iconic Joe Cocker, contributing to the albums "Stingray" and "Luxury You Can Afford." During this time, he also ventured into his solo career, releasing a series of albums that reflected his artistic growth, including "Teasin'" (1974), "Coast to Coast" (1988), and "Uncle Funky" (1998). Each album showcased Dupree’s skill in merging elements of soul, jazz, and funk seamlessly.

Dupree's affiliation with East Coast jazz fusion saw him collaborating on Van McCoy’s 1975 hit "The Hustle," epitomizing the dance craze of the time. In the late 1970s, he formed the influential jazz fusion group Stuff, alongside Eric Gale, Richard Tee, Steve Gadd, Chris Parker, and Gordon Edwards. This ensemble became known for their innovative sound and chemistry, pushing the boundaries of jazz fusion.

Beyond performance, Dupree made significant contributions to guitar education and literature. He authored "Rhythm and Blues Guitar," sharing his insights and expertise with aspiring musicians eager to delve into the nuances of soul and blues guitar playing. With an astonishing record of reportedly recording on over 2,500 sessions throughout his career, Dupree's impact on the music industry is virtually unparalleled.

Dupree died on May 8, 2011, at his home in Fort Worth, Texas, while awaiting a lung transplant after a battle with emphysema.

(December 17, 1937 – July 22, 2019) Neville was a prominent figure in the New Orleans music scene for more than fifty years. He established the funk band The Meters, whose distinctive sound became synonymous with New Orleans funk. Additionally, he co-founded the rock-soul-jazz ensemble The Neville Brothers and later created the offshoot group The Funky Meters.

Beginning his musical journey on the piano, he performed alongside his brothers from a young age. His musical influences included R&B legends such as James Booker, Bill Doggett, Booker T. Jones, Lloyd Glenn, and Professor Longhair. During his high school years, he joined and eventually led The Hawketts. In 1954, the band recorded "Mardi Gras Mambo," featuring Neville on vocals. This track gained significant popularity and emerged as an anthem for New Orleans' carnival celebrations.

Neville contributed to numerous recordings by esteemed artists from New Orleans and beyond, including Labelle (notably on "Lady Marmalade"), Paul McCartney, Lee Dorsey, Robert Palmer, Dr. John, and Professor Longhair. He was honored with three Grammy Awards throughout his career.

In 1989, he received a Grammy with The Neville Brothers for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. In 1996, he was awarded a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "SRV Shuffle," a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, alongside various artists. He was nominated for a Grammy in 1999 in the category of Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 as a member of The Meters.

Neville concluded his musical career in December 2018. He passed away in New Orleans at the age of 81 on July 22, 2019, following a prolonged period of declining health. He is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Lorraine, three children, a sister, and his two brothers, Aaron and Cyril. The Recording Academy and Louisiana Governor John B. Edwards issued statements honoring Neville's significant contributions to the music of New Orleans.

( December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992) Kendricks was a tenor vocalist and songwriter renowned for his unique falsetto technique. He co-founded the iconic Motown group the Temptations, serving as one of their principal singers from 1960 to 1971. His remarkable voice was featured in several classic tracks, including "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "Get Ready," and "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)." In his solo career during the 1970s, Kendricks achieved significant success with hits such as the chart-topping singles "Keep On Truckin'" and "Boogie Down."

Kendricks passed away from lung cancer at Baptist Medical Center-Princeton in Birmingham on October 5, 1992, at the age of 52. He is survived by his three children: Parris, Aika, and Paul Kendricks, the latter named in honor of Paul Williams.

(December 12, 1943 – December 17, 1999) was an jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Dave Grusin, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre. He wrote some of his material and later became an arranger and producer.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Washington made some of the genre's most memorable hits, including "Mister Magic", "Reed Seed", "Black Frost", "Winelight", "Inner City Blues", "Let it Flow (For 'Dr. J')", and "The Best is Yet to Come". In addition, he performed very frequently with other artists, including Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us", Patti LaBelle on "The Best Is Yet to Come", and Phyllis Hyman on "A Sacred Kind of Love".
​On December 17, 1999, five days after his 56th birthday, Washington collapsed while waiting in the green room after performing four songs for The Saturday Early Show, at CBS Studios in New York City. He was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:30 pm. His doctors determined that he had suffered a massive heart attack.[1] He is interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

(June 10, 1967 – December 10, 1995), also known as Big Buff, Buff Love, Buffy, The Human Beat Box, The Ox That Rocks, and DJ Doctor Nice (among other aliases), was a rapper, beatboxer, and actor who was a member of the 1980s hip hop group The Fat Boys. He, along with Doug E. Fresh and Biz Markie, were pioneers of beatboxing, a form of vocal percussion used in many rap groups throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Robinson and the Fat Boys were featured in the 1985 movie Krush Groove. The film, loosely based on the early days of the Def Jam record label, also featured Blair Underwood as Russell Simmons (named Russell Walker in the movie), and record producer Rick Rubin, along with Run DMC, Sheila E., Beastie Boys, Kurtis Blow, and a young LL Cool J.

He was diagnosed with lymphedema, or fluid buildup, and died of a heart attack on December 10, 1995, weighing 450 pounds (200 kg). Robinson’s weight contributed to his death.