The Jersey Delta is no stranger to legendary musical performers; men and women whose names are written in the stars. Some who performed at all the great dance halls and festivals from Calzoni to Snatchez; others who never played a paying gig in their lives but provided the music for the barbecues, fish fries and crossroads dances.
“They are the legends of the Jersey Delta.”
Jersey Delta Records sends out its congratulations to the Four newest “Legends of the Delta”:
Kraig Greff
Pat DiNizio
George Clinton
Franki Valli
“Uncle” Floyd Vivino
Born in Paterson, NJ, the son of a jazz trumpeter, he began his show business career as a child tap dancer at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. Over the next 50+ years, he developed a devoted cult following as a comedian, piano player, puppeteer, and actor. He is most renowned for “The Uncle Floyd Show,” the longest-running TV show in New Jersey history, which aired from 1974-1998. With a budget of little of no money, he attracted a legion of celebrity fans including The Ramones, Bon Jovi, The Smithereens, and Cyndi Lauper, who appeared as musical guests. Along with his puppets, Oogie and Bones Boy, and his sidekicks, Scott Gordon, Netto, and Looney Skip Rooney, he became New Jersey’s most beloved Vaudeville act of all time and is credited with the classic line, “Did you know Tom Jones isn’t really from Wales? He actually came from normal parents.” He is currently the host of Monday Nights Live, every Monday at 8PM, as well as other programs that can be found at www.UncleFloyd.net.
Kraig Greff
His talents as a performer were surpassed only by his warmth, sense of humor, and generosity. Kraig Greff was an accordion virtuoso, beloved not just by his friends and family, but everyone who had the great fortune of getting to know him.
Rory Block
Born in the Sourland Mountains in the heart of the Jersey Delta, Aurora “Rory” Block is one of the greatest living acoustic blues guitar players. She began playing guitar at age 10 and left home at age 15 to study blues guitar at the feet of the masters, including Skip James and Mississippi John Hurt. To date, she has released 36 albums and is a 6x Blues Music Award Winner, including being named the 2019 Acoustic Artist of the Year. Her most recent releases include 2018’s “A Woman’s Soul” and 2020’s “Prove It On Me”.
Enzo Stuarti
Born Lorenzo Scapone in Rome, Italy, his parents fled for the United States when Benito Mussolini came to power but left their son behind. He was placed in an abbey and raised by monks. After immigrating to the United States, he enjoyed a 10-year career on Broadway and later took the name Enzo Stuarti at the suggestion of Ed Sullivan. Known for having one of the loudest voices in show business, he released over 30 recordings with several labels and appeared on TV regularly. As a pitch man, he became famous for his “that’s-a-nice-boy” commercials for Ragu spaghetti sauce. He was a regular at Mama Rosa’s Restaurant in Scotch Plains, and according to urban legend he was present when Phil Rizzuto left the first and only tip of his life after enjoying a complimentary meal of Chicken Poyer.
Pat DiNizio
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, October 12, 1955, and raised in Scotch Plains,, as a youth he worked for his father’s garbage disposal company. (Yes, his dad really was in waste management.) In 1980 he formed The Smithereens and went on to write and record a legendary catalog of hits including “Only A Memory”, “A Girl Like You” and “Blood And Roses”. The Smithereens appeared on The Tonight Show, MTV Unplugged and Saturday Night Live and released a series of gold and platinum records. In 2000 he ran the U.S. Senate and finished fourth. His 2006 reality special chronicled his quest for a roster spot on the Somerset Patriots baseball team and featured an appearance by Bruce Springsteen. He also enjoyed a solo career which included the release of several albums and a “Living Room Tour”. Following his death his hometown of Scotch Plains renamed the street where he lived “Pat DiNIzio Way”. Known for his sense of humor and charm, he was one of the most beloved figures in the history of the New Jersey Music scene.
Ray “Oily” Stools
Born in the Ladies’ restroom of his father’s “Flying A” gas station, Ray “Oily” Stools is widely recognized as the master of New Jersey’s oldest traditional instrument, the Handsome Dougie. By the age of 8, he was constructing Handsome Dougies (HDeez) from spare parts and refuge he recovered from his father’s workplace and an abandoned enema factory near his home in Fleetville, NJ. Known for his flawless intonation and relentless rhythmic bursts, Stools recorded over 15 albums (all unreleased) before succumbing to pulmonary ailments which he contracted while performing outside a Port-o-Potty in the parking lot of Giants Stadium.
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean was born in 1969 in Haiti, the son of a pastor. His family moved to Coney Island and then to Newark, New Jersey where he worked at McDonald’s to pay for studio time. From an early age he was a musical prodigy and plays 15 different instruments. With his band The Fugees, he wrote and recorded a series of legendary records including “The Score” which sold more than 15 million records worldwide. His eclectic mix of Creole, salsa, reggae, Afro-Cuban, R & B, funk and rap made him a legend in the Jersey Delta. His ongoing efforts as an activist and an educator led to his unanimous induction into the Jersey Delta Hall of Fame. In 2014 the Fattiesburg Free Press honored him with the Lupe Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award for being an incredibly "soulful dude."
RUBEN HARRISON CIRCA 1947
Son of a Scottish father and a Puerto Rican mother, he left home and migrated to the Jersey Delta along with his brother Lupe at the age of 10 and made a living singing and playing guitar on street corners. In 1939 he founded a Zydeco-Mariacci band called "Mas Gordas" which became the most popular band in the history of the Jersey Delta. His son Benny became one of the most highly regarded musicians and producers in the NJ/NY area.
George Clinton
Raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, George Clinton is an undisputed founding father of funk. At the age of 80 he continues to perform to the delight of his loyal fans. He is best known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic and hits like “Atomic Dog”, ”Just Sing”, and “It’s All Love”. His cutting edge live performances combined elements of science fiction, outrageous fashion statements, and psychedelia. In 2018 The Recording Academy honored George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic with a Lifetime Achievement ward.
NATE "THE NEWT" CANARIA CIRCA 1957
One of 47 children, he mailed himself from the Philippines Islands to the Jersey Delta in an extra large Express Mail envelope. In 1923 he went on "walkabout" from NJ to Tennessee and back. During his journey he taught Jimmy Rogers to play guitar and schooled A.P. Carter in the art of songwriting. His great granddaughter Lily is featured in The Jackson Whites' video "Salamander Moon”.
Lupe Harrison, Faton Roude Music Festival, Faton Roude, New JErsey 1963
Widely acknowledged as the most versatile musician in the history of the Jersey Delta. He played 18 different insrtuments (one more than Prince) including guitar, slide whistle, tuba, timbales, jaw harp, piccolo, dulcimer, handsome dougie and bagpipies.In 1970, after an unusually poor performance, he was bludgeoned to death with his own guitar by Mats Van Kull, father of Jackson Whites vocalist Robert Van Kull. At trial several witnesses testified that Harrison's performance had been so bad that he deserved a beating. Van Kull was acquitted and went on to marry Lupe's widow, Virginia.
KUMAR "TAINT" FUNNI CIRCA 1967
In 1965, Ravi Shankar declared Funni "the least talented musician in the history of music." At the age of 4 doctors advised his parents that he was profoundly tone deaf and suggested that they forbid him from singing or coming into contact with musical instruments. He defied all odds by recording 22 albums of original compositions which have been covered by Norah Jones, Run DMC and The Iselin Symphony Orchestra. His songs have also been featured in over 100 Bollywood films.
Frankie Valli
Francesco Castelluccio was born Newark, New Jersey, May 3, 1934. As Frankie Valli he created a body of work which did more to define the “New Jersey Sound” than any artist before or since. With and without his band “The Four Seasons” he had over 70 chart hits and a career that has spanned 60 years. Along with collaborator Bob Gaudio (who was introduced to him by Joe Pesci) he authored and recorded hits which include “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, and “Rag Doll”. His solo career, which continues to this day, includes hits like “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “My Eyes Adored You”. He also enjoyed a successful acting career which included a recurring role on “The Sopranos”.
MILDRED BARRELLHAUSEN CIRCA 1936
Born into a wealthy family of socialites in Hyde Park, NY she was briefly engaged to a young Franklin Delano Roosevelt before biting his finger to the bone and fleeing for parts unknown with nothing but a suitcase filled with hundred dollar bills. She migrated to the Jersey Delta and became a regular performer in strip clubs such as LaPores, The Dancing Lady Lounge and The Richmond Beer Gardens, where she also became a highly successful prostitute.
Benoit "Frenchie" LeQueef
Many thanks to the Calvert family for submitting this rare photo of Benoit "Frenchie" LeQueef the noted cabaret performer from Little Montreal in the Jersey Delta's great white north. He was known as the most heavily perfumed performer in the history of the Jersey Delta. Legend has it that although he worked in a rendering plant located on the grounds of a feces transfer station it was his employer who sued LeQueef for creating a toxic work environment. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the civil rights movement and is best remembered for his performance at the 1962 Jerseyland Folk Festival where he played a moving 18 minute version of "Oui Shall Overcome."
Bastardo "Cheech" DiQuallo
This photo is courtesy of the D'Amilio Family and features Bastardo "Cheech" DiQuallo crooning "Porco Misera" (Miserable Pig) accompanied by his wife Rosa on the piano. It was taken at the Italian American Hall in Scotch Plains circa 1949. Italian Americans made major contributions to the sound which eventually became know as "Jersey Delta Stoonad".
“Lil' Nasty”
This photo, submitted anonymously, is alleged to be the only known image of "Lil' Nasty", the mysterious under aged girl who taunted Portuguese residents of Newark New Jersey's Iron Bound Section for a 6 month period in 2009. She would appear with her bullhorn outside of bedroom windows and perform homespun rap songs including "Your Jesus Was A Pimp" and "Hairy Wife, Happy Life", as the homeowners fumed. She was last seen running from the Neighborhood Watch toward Raymond Blvd and has never resurfaced. Her fate remains unknown.
B. Russell "Sprouts" McCann
Thanks to Jackson Whites Guitarist Kevin Hadley for submitting this rare photo of Jersey Delta legend B. Russell "Sprouts" McCann performing his legendary rendition of "Our National Anthem" into "Scarlet Begonias" into "Taps", to close the 1985 Sussex County Music Festival. Less than a dozen people remained to witness this performance which took place a full 3 days after the festival had ended.
Ollie Charles
Thanks to Race Bannon for this photo of the Great Ollie Charles who is known as the Johnnie Winter of The Jersey Delta. For a 13 year period between 1983 and 1996 Charles played guitar and sang every night at the Chicken Little brothel in Liars Point, N.J. where he also worked as a janitor. On October 1, 1996 he died on stage of malnutrition while performing an extended version of "What is it that tastes like gravy?"