
African American Caribbean Cultural Organization of Essex County

2025 Lineup
get tickets and vendor info

Dj Fu-Skillz aka Gary Glover grew up in the No.Newark projects where in the mid 70's was fascinated with electronics, from cb radios to music ,(I was 17 when I got my 1st mixer. A used gemini 2 channel and a set of B1 Technics. That's when the house party's started . Then in 79 I saw my Mentor Dj Mark Thompson. I was all in from there. Landed in a local bar in East Orange NJ. The Savoy lounge. Today I'm a resident Dj at The People's Choice Lounge in Newark NJ
DJ Fuo Skillz

Steve "Silk" Hurley
Silk is a pioneer of the modern-day remix, being named as the first producer to incorporate the new style of remixing that exists today, in which a totally new composition is created over an
Accapella. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remix) cites the relevance of Hurley’s House Remixes of ballads and pop records to the gradual evolution of the remix to this style.
Many of Silk’s remix projects stem from original versions which are not in the dance genre at all, but his house remixes still manage to reach the #1 position on the dance charts, and sometimes even become crossover radio hits. With hundreds of remixes under his belt, Silk’s influence on
the evolution of the remix has helped expand the worldwide reach of House Music.
Hurley and global DJ/Producer Shannon “DJ Skip” Syas have also garnered worldwide recognition with their label, S&S Records, Inc. / S&S Chicago, Inc. (www.snschicago.com), which boasts a catalog of over 500 releases.

With over 20 years of experience behind the decks, Lenny Fontana is a familiar name to all house lovers.
From playing at high-profiled clubs such as Studio 54, The Underground NYC and Ministry of Sound, to scoring a #1 dance hit with his track “What You Need”, Fontana has left his mark on the music scene.
In 2021 Fontana signed a worldwide exclusive songwriting deal with Bucks Music Group, which has been known for launching and developing the careers of music legends including Beyonce, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones.
Lenny Fontana will be heating up the dancefloor at CÉ LA VI’’s Singapore club lounge with his chart topping disco hits. Be sure to catch this one-night only performance on 10th March from 10pm till late only at CÉ LA VI Singapore.
Lenny Fontana
Merlin Bobb has been a music and entertainment executive/entrepreneur for over two decades, from record label executive to founder of his own music companies.
During Merlin’s tenure as an entertainment executive his artist sold over 50 million albums. His brilliant track record in A&R discovering, developing and managing talent in diverse music genres such as pop, r&b, dance/edm and rap/hip-hop, has made him recognized and well respected throughout the industry. Merlin rose to prominence during his tenure as Vice President at Atlantic Records to become senior Vice President and co-Founder of East/West Records worldwide to Executive Vice President of Elektra Entertainment Group, both subsidiaries of Warner Music Group.
Just a few of the notable artist, producers and song writers Bobb discovered, signed and worked with directly are Pharrell Williams, Fabulous, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, P. Diddy, Brandy, Dr. Dre, Outkast, John Legend and also partnered with Cash Money Records.

Merlin Bobb
Chantay Savage grew up in Chicago, Illinois and was the daughter of a jazz musician. Savage started her music career at an open mic contest which she won eight times and used to get gigs and to work as a session musician for artists like CeCe Peniston.
Savage managed to get a deal with RCA records after contributing to CeCe's single 'We Got A Love Thang.' She released an album with the studio titled Here We Go in 1994. The album had three minor successes with 'If You Believe,' 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head' and 'Betcha'll Never Find.'
​
In 1996, Chantay released her second album, I Will Survive (Doin' It My Way). The album's biggest hit was 'I Will Survive,' a reworking of Gloria Gaynor's disco album. The single went gold and reached #24 on the Hot 100.


John Benitez was born in New York in 1957 and we can thank/blame his sister for giving him the nickname ‘Jellybean’! From a young age in the 1970’s, he was playing music at friends party’s and later in clubs, working his way up through the ranks to eventually land spots and landmark establishments like Le Jardin and Studio 54. Through his following and influence, he was able to promote bands and artists, making hits out of “Planet Rock” for Afrika Bambaataa in 1982 and “Let The Music Play” for Shannon in 1983. It was that same year that he was introduced to a dancer by the name of Madonna Ciccone. She was developing her own music and recording her first album, which ‘Jellybean’ would stamp his mark on, most notably the singles “Holiday”, “Lucky Star” and “Borderline”.
John "Jellybean" Benitez
Chantay Savage

Two-time GRAMMY® Award winner Ann Nesby is back with ANNiversary—her first studio album in over a decade, arriving April 11, 2025. Featuring the hit singles “My Man” and “Ain’t Gotta Worry,” the album marks a triumphant return to form, blending modern soul with timeless R&B storytelling.
​
Known for her powerhouse vocals and undeniable presence, Nesby rose to fame as the lead singer of Sounds of Blackness and has since become a multi-hyphenate force in music, film, and television. With a legacy spanning decades and a voice that continues to move generations, she reminds us that real R&B still lives—and she’s still one of its most trusted voices.
Ann Nesby

Curtis McClain is a legendary U.S. producer and vocalist whose voice helped define the sound of Chicago house music. He is best known for delivering the unmistakable vocals to the global classic “Move Your Body (House Music Anthem)”, produced by Marshall Jefferson—a track that became one of the most celebrated and enduring records in dance music history.
Born and raised in Chicago, Curtis grew up immersed in the city’s vibrant music culture, drawing inspiration from gospel, soul, funk, and R&B before finding his home in the emerging house music scene of the 1980s. His powerful, emotive vocal style brought warmth and humanity to electronic grooves, helping to shape the genre’s identity during its formative years.
Over the decades, Curtis has performed at some of the world’s most iconic clubs and festivals, captivating audiences with both his studio work and live performances. Beyond “Move Your Body”, his collaborations span a variety of respected producers and projects, each infused with his signature soulful delivery.
Today, Curtis continues to honor the legacy of Chicago house while embracing its evolution, working on fresh productions, mentoring emerging artists, and engaging with fans across generations. His voice remains a timeless reminder that, at its core, house music is about connection, passion, and the shared joy of the dancefloor.