Today, Trenton is a post-industrial city that is trying to re-invent itself through its arts movement. In the wake of Trenton’s make over, Trenton does not have to look far for its jazz scene. In a substantially small building surrounded by grimy auto mechanic shops and low- income housing in the heart of Trenton is the “best kept” secret, the Candlelight Lounge. The club is host to an array of the world’s best modern jazz musicians, such as Tia Fuller, Tyrone Brown, Richie Cole, and Orrin Evans. They jazz musicians who have made their way across the checker board bandstand at this little-known jazz club that has been operating since the 1940’s.

It is 2:30 on Saturday afternoon; the musicians are almost done setting up their instruments for what they hope to be a sold-out performance on Halloween night. The crowd is trickling in one by one to hear live jazz at the Candlelight Lounge. The mixture of locals and out-of-towners surround the circular island bar. The bar seats fifty people who are taking turns ordering wine and “chucky burgers” from Chef Chucky. The lounge has a traditional jazz club atmosphere because of the smoky dim lighting and photographs of jazz musicians that hang on the wall. By 4:30 in the afternoon the Candlelight Lounge is jam-packed with people standing up against the wall to get a better view of the stage. All across the lounge, locals and out-of-towers are leaning back in their chairs with their eyes closed; listening to the soft tunes of the alto saxophone, the delicate strokes of a piano, the tender tapping on the ride cymbal, and the soft plucks on the bass, but it wasn’t always this harmonious.

Racial segregation laws in the 1940’s did not permit minorities to perform in the same jazz venues as whites. However, throughout the southern and eastern part of the United States a select few jazz venues, such as the Candlelight Lounge, allowed black performances on the Chitlin Circuit.

“Candlelight Lounge use to be owned by a white owner who allowed black musicians to come play at the club during segregation” says EC Bradley the Owner of Candlelight Lounge.

Bradley, 59, purchased the club in 2007 from Bill Powell. Powell owned the Lounge for over thirty years before he decided to sale the club to Bradley, a Trenton builder who heard the club was for sale. Bradley is an artist at heart, having played the tenor saxophone since he was a kid. Bradley saw the club as a retirement investment that would combine his business skills with his love for jazz.

“We were all worried about what would happen to the place and tradition,” said Trenton resident Larry Hilton, a member of the Jazz Disciples. “We were relieved when EC bought the place and wanted to keep the jazz going.”

Although many different variations of jazz are played around the world, what is most appreciated and performed at the Candlelight Lounge on a regular basis is conventional straight ahead jazz.

“Straight ahead jazz is not only popular terminology used to define expressive improvisational methods of jazz, it’s also the original version of jazz created by American culture, jazz in its original format,” said Bradley.

The Candlelight Lounge does not charge a cover, and is open from ten a.m. until two a.m. seven days a week. A deejay plays club music Thursday through Saturday night to keep the lounge financially stable and able to pay for the four-hour window of free jazz every Saturday. The lounge is starting to build popularity, especially with city employees, who go there to enjoy half priced drinks during happy hour. Patrons believe that what makes the club so special is the live jazz each Saturday.

“The Candlelight Lounge is the only dependable club in Trenton where you can go listen to jazz without going to Philadelphia or New York,” said Hilton.

The jazz audience at the Candlelight Lounge enjoys jazz innovators such as Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis, rather than pop or smooth jazz artists, which is why the club has no problem welcoming modern jazz talent across the world. It has developed the reputation as a “soulful” club. Musicians such as Orin Evans have noticed the audience etiquette and true love for the music that is felt at the Candlelight Lounge,

“There is a different type of spirit here. I’ve played all around the world, but when I play at the Candlelight Lounge I feel the audiences love for the music,” said jazz pianist Orrin Evans.

Musicians are happy to play at the Candlelight Lounge because they can play freely without club owners dictating what music they play. Jazz venues around the country have placed agendas on the musicians, telling them what to play and how to play.

“The club is soulful and clear,” said saxophonist Darryl Yokley. “The Candlelight Lounge doesn’t have a stuffy vibe like some clubs that require the musicians to play certain songs,” said jazz saxophonist Darryl Yokley. “I enjoy playing at Candlelight Lounge because this club embraces jazz music. The audience really listens to the music. People aren’t talking during the sets, nor are there any egos,” he said.

The Jazz Disciples started 6 years ago with 20 men who look at themselves as jazz veterans. They are dedicated members of the Candlelight Lounge, who not only have a love for jazz, but also financially support some of the well-known musicians who play at the club.

“The jazz disciples would chip in and pay some of the more well known musicians like Tim Warfield extra money,” said Hilton.

Because jazz at the Candlelight Lounge ends at 7 in the evening, some of the well-known artists use the club as a precursor to evening shows. Although the Candlelight Lounge does not have the history of the legendary Village Vanguard Jazz Club in New York City, it is becoming popular with modern musicians because the crowd invites musical creativity from the artists.

“Playing at the Candlelight Lounge is a no-hassle job for most artists. Musicians can play what they feel” said Hilton.

As the city of Trenton search to find its’ arts identity during this tough economic time, Trenton will rely on the growth and consistency of the Candlelight Lounge. Preserving the jazz tradition at the Candlelight Lounge is not only important to musicians but, to the community of Trenton. The intellectual style of music that requires the audience to come and listen to the creative pattern of sound keeps jazz lovers happy and entertained. With the continued success of the club, Trenton hopes that its’ arts movement will resemble the heart and soul of the Candlelight Lounge.

“I want to keep the jazz trend alive in the city by giving people in Trenton a breath of fresh air and a place where the musicians are happy to come play,” said Bradley.

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