Clifford Adams, a Trenton native, is a world-renown trombonist. He has become a symbol of jazz for Trenton and America, peaking at national popularity in the 80’s with his band’s popular hit “Joanna”. Born 8th, 1952, Adams took a strong liking to classical jazz when he was already at a young age. He was already on the road with Patti Labelle and the Bluebells, but he sharpened his music expertise and music theory by attending Trenton State College. Adams went on a two-year world tour with the famous Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Big Band. After seeing the world, he then officially joined Kool & the Gang. Adams appealed to all ears by showing off his pop side and also demonstrating his precision and finesse through his more classical jazz roots. Later on his life, he became a music educator and taught master classes at Princeton, Yale, Rutgers, Lawrenceville Prep, The College of New Jersey, Hartford, and Duke. Despite being critically acclaimed across the nation, Adams still stood strong to his roots. He would often keep classical jazz music alive in Trenton by performing at local venues. Adams also gave back to the community by helping to find DRUMM, a non-profit organization that offered inexpensive music lessons to children. However, after a long and arduous battle with cancer, Adams sadly passed away in January 2015. His mark on Trenton and his influence on jazz music stay strong even with his passing.

Feature Ideas:

• Feature a biography on Clifford Adams growing up in Trenton.
• Feature how Adams impacted jazz Trenton through DRUMM.
• Feature the evolution of Adams’ music throughout his life.

Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2018, from http://cliffordadamscom.fatcow.com/biography/

Clifford Adams. (2016, July 19). Retrieved September 24, 2018, from http://www.trentonmakesmusic.org/article/clifford-adams/

Pizzi, J. (2015, January 13). Kool and the Gang trombonist and Trenton native passes away after struggle with liver cancer. Retrieved September 24, 2018, from https://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/01/kool_and_the_gang_trombonist_and_trenton_native_passed_away_after_struggle_with_liver_cancer.html