Pieces of a Dream co-founder Cedric Napoleon passed away last week, and the jazz community poured in with condolences via Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, etc. Cedric performed with the group from 1976 to 1986 before he left for a solo career.
His surviving bandmates Curtis Harmon (drummer) and James Lloyd (keyboards) handled bass (both acoustic and electric) as well as lead vocals on the group’s early work. The teen group was popular in Philly and became the house band for the local television show, “City
Lights” hosted by Elleanor Jean Hendley. Saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. mentored the group and helped boost their career by signing them on and opening for his tours.
Curtis Harmon and James Lloyd wrote on Facebook, “It is with heavy hearts that we are saying goodbye to our brother and dear friend, Cedric Napoleon. As the remaining original members of Pieces Of A Dream, it’s hard to fathom that one of us is no longer here…” his former bandmates posted to social media.
Philadelphia native Cedric was signed to Elektra Records and issued three Washington-produced discs, “Pieces of a Dream,” “We Are One,” and “Imagine This,” that shot them right to the top of the jazz scene. They also had crossover hits, including Cedric’s hit “Fo Fi Fo” (in honor of the Philadelphia 76ers), which took “Imagine This” to the upper echelon of jazz, soul, and pop charts.
Cedric remained an in-demand bassist and worked with countless stars, ranging from Phyllis Hyman, Stevie Wonder, The O’Jays, The Stylistics, Patti Labelle, Angela Bofill, Phil Perry, Jeffrey Osborne to The Main Ingredient, The Stylistics, Blue Magic, Teddy Pendergrass, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Michael Henderson, Norman Connors, and a host of others.
It took a quarter century after leaving Pieces before he issued his solo debut album, Yesterday Today, in 2016.
He went from a child prodigy musician to a great musician over the years, and Cedric Napolean will be greatly missed. Thanks to Smooth Jazz Network, Soul & Jazz & Funk, Soul Tracks, and Velvet Note for your tributes to Cedric Napoleon.
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