where are they now?
Many of Durham's soul, funk, and R&B musicians from the 1960s and 70s are still making music today.
Are you or your band missing? Have any current information or photos of performers? Email us and let us know!
Leon Pendarvis of the Leon Pendarvis Orchestra has been a musical director of the Saturday Night Live Band.
Stanley Saunders of Duracha leads the Family Sircle vocal group. Pierce McKoy and Jerome Saunders of Blue Steam have been recent members.
Bobb Tapp of the Acid Rock Combo plays jazz guitar on a weekly basis.
Aaron Mills
Stanley Baird
Marion Wiggins
Johnny White continues to lead the Elite Band.
Several members of Brodie's Gang currently perform as The Brothership.
Charles Alexander leads the Charles Alexander Revue and runs the Kats Recording Studio.
Durham Musicians Reunited, Inc. is a charitable organization founded by James K. "Tweet" Toomer in 2007. Toomer—who played with Johnny White and many other local bands in the 1960s and 1970s—passed away in December 2012. His fiancé Vicki Umstead is the group’s current president. Other Durham musicians involved in the leadership include Jerond Belton, Vernelle Mack, Johnny White, Marion Wiggins, Al Kee, Sr., and Jesse Suggs.
Willie Hill of the Communicators & Black Experiences Band has produced records of his own and other artists through his recording company Inspire Productions.
Vernelle Mack of the Essence of Truth and the Positive Approach plans to release a solo gospel CD this year.
Victor Stone continues to lead the Risse Band along with Jaisun McMillian, who worked on the Bull City Soul Revival project.
Several former members of N.C.C.U. remain active on the local music scene: Stanley Baird makes solo recordings and leads the Stanley Baird Group. Marion Wiggins runs Playground Studios in Durham. In addition to performing locally, Aaron Mills has played with Cameo and Outkast.
