Famous Trenton R&B Artists
Sarah Dash
Trenton born vocalist, song writer, session musician, motivational speaker, educator, entrepreneur, humanitarian and Trenton’s first Music Ambassador. She also wrote her own screenplay/stage work titled “A Dash of Diva”.
Sarah’s singing career initially began in the gospel genre. As a pre-teen, she turned to secular music forming the group The Del-Capris. In 1961, she joined the Ordettes which later became the Bluebelles. In 1962, the group changed their name to Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. In 1971, another name change to LaBelle that remained until they split up in 1977.
Sarah’s solo career started in 1978 which included several albums and session work with The O’Jays, Nile Rodger’s of Chic, The Marshall Tucker Band, David Johansson, The Rolling Stones and Keith Richard’s.
Sarah Dash passed unexpectedly in September, 2021.
Nona Hendrix
Trenton born vocalist, record producer, songwriter, musician and author. She is a distant relative cousin of guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
Her singing career started with The Del-Carpis, then on to The Ordettes, The Bluebelles and Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles later becoming LaBelle.
Nona’s solo career started in 1977 with several albums as well as session work with The Talking Heads, Valerie Simpson of Ashfors and Simpson, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Patti LaBelle, Dan Hartman, George Clinton, Mavis Staples and Keith Richard’s. In the 1980’s, she fronted her own progressive art rock group, Zero Cool.
During the 2025-26 academic year Hendrix has served as the Roth Visiting Artist at Dartmouth College Hopkinson Center for the Arts.
Steve Williams
Trenton born vocalist. He is a graduate of Trenton High School and discribes himself as a protege of Trenton High School teacher and musician Ted Plunkett.
Steve is currently the lead singer of the reunited musical group Instant Funk.
Adam Blackstone
Trenton born multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and bassist.
He began playing drums at the age of 4 at El Bethel Baptist church on Euclid Avenue in Trenton. In third grade, at his teachers suggestion, he switched to bass.
Adam began his musical career as a session player in Philadelphia where he caught the attention of Questlove. Adam has since worked with and for several A-listers including Rihanna, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Janet Jackson, The Jonas Brothers, The Roots, Al Green, The Isley Brothers, Angie Stone, Al Jarreau, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Jill Scott and Alicia Keys.