Eddie “Wall St” Brown dances during a set at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival on Friday night.
The Black Lites are celebrating 40 years in the music business this year. Their story is familiar to Syracuse residents, but many outside the area do not know that the group recorded a song with New England Producer Maurice Starr that later became a hit for New Edition. They never signed with Starr due to a previous contract obligation.
James Patterson, lead vocalist
Eddie gives some love to horn player Dave Frateschi
Fans, including Sen. John DeFransicso, give applaud the Black Lites
Guitarist Emmanuel Atkins makes it funky
Jerry Patterson, lead vocals