E. C. Bradley speaks out on the past, present, and future of Candle Light Events
The iconic building that has become rooted in the community of 24 Passaic Street in Trenton, New Jersey, known today as Candle Light Events, will be forced to close its doors at the end of this summer and relocate to an undetermined location within the city.
This location has had a few names during its 57 years of longevity as a top destination for jazz & blues musicians and enthusiasts. However, owner E.C. Bradley and wife Valerie, who acquired the business when it was known as Candle Light Lounge, are no strangers to adversity as Black business owners. A wrongful death lawsuit for allegedly overserving a patron who died in a car crash after leaving the popular jazz club one night back in 2015, has pressed Bradley to sell the building and pay ordered judgment damages.
Bradley claims his defense fell on “deaf ears” with the New Jersey Superior Courts due to dram shop laws, which hold business owners responsible if someone they serve alcohol, causes harm after leaving the establishment. As a result, Bradley was ordered to pay judgment damages and sell the property that has brought so many far and near to this one-of-a-kind nostalgic lounge venue.
Looking Back
Candle Light Events was created after Bradley injured his back while working as a full-time carpenter. Bradley needed to find work that wasn’t so taxing on his body. Through a mutual business acquaintance, Bradley learned that previous owner, Bill Powell, wanted to retire and move on from the Candle Light Lounge. Bradley reminisced and discussed the day he decided to purchase the Candle Light Lounge, “this will be a great place to play,” he recalls, “I said to myself it’s time to turn the key and get busy.” Becoming an owner of a jazz club had an added benefit of providing Bradley with an outlet to play his saxophone and ensure that jazz would continue to live in Trenton.
A unique history about the building that many may not be aware of, is it is one of three minority-owned Chitlin Circuit venues in New Jersey, where Blacks were free and safe to perform together, according to Bradley. Before being dubbed Candle Light Events, it was known as the Candle Light Lounge and started as the Trenton Social Club, a historically segregated building serving Whites only from 1950 to 1967. The Trenton native said that he was, “Happy to be able to keep jazz conveniently available in the neighborhood.”
What makes Candle Light Events even more unique is that patrons will never know who will grace the stage with their talents on any given visit. Recently, the stage was blessed with a few talented performers, such as Grammy-Award winner saxophonist, Josh Lee, who attended the Candle Light as a young man with his family, as well as talented Tia Fuller, who has toured with Beyoncé. Michael Ray, a Trenton native and trumpeter of the legendary Kool & The Gang band, frequently visits and plays his soulful energetic trumpet during the jam sessions. A touring musician who got his start touring with Patti Labelle & The Blue Belles, Ray keeps in tune as the trumpeter for jazz band Sun Ra Arkestra, and says he “has always been welcomed with open arms [and treated] like family” at the Candle Light lounge.
And the Beat Goes On…
Most would have to travel to New York city or Philly to hear such prominent legends play in such an intimate setting while enjoying a home-cooked meal and full-service bar. It’s baffling that many still aren’t aware of this Trenton gem. Bradley stayed true to his word of increasing the jazz presence in the city. Long-time Trenton resident and Vietnam Veteran, Jim Gordon, still remembers the day he first walked through the doors 20 years ago with friend Larry Hilton who played a significant role in booking musicians, coordinating and promoting Candle Light Lounge’s live entertainment prior to Candle Light Events. Jim speaks enthusiastically of the camaraderie and feeling of inclusion with a sense of community being surrounded by other veterans which created a “deep-loving feeling”. Abstract artist and frequent patron whose life has been influenced by jazz for the past decade, Kathleen Hurley Liao, mentioned some of her reasons for attending as being able to “immerse myself in the most authentic jazz experience to be had anywhere.”
Even with a dark cloud hovering over Candle Light Events there remains hope to keep the live music at Candle Light Events in Trenton. Carey Hamilton, jazz coordinator at Mercer County Community College’s “Jazz on Two” looks forward to collaborating with Bradley once a new location is found. The station will provide a remote broadcast with a “spotlight on jazz” for Candle Light patrons and the Mercer County community. Carey also feels that jazz music is “underserved” in Trenton and broadcasting it will benefit everyone.
Bradley has accomplished what he envisioned to do back in 2006 by keeping jazz alive in Trenton and remains optimistic regarding its survival. This past February, Bradley received the Black History Month Community Service Award presented to him by MCCC James Kerney and the Trenton Council of Civic Associations. For now, the Passaic St. location will remain open until further notice.
Thursday blues jam sessions start at 6:00 p.m. and go on until about 10:00 p.m. Saturday’s doors open at 3:30 p.m. For many of its patrons and musicians, whether new or old, the Candle Light will remain a second home no matter its physical location. “Even with all the financial and mental strain that the situation has placed on me, I’m looking forward to the next chapter of keeping jazz in Trenton and continuing having a positive impact in the community”
