Trumpeter and jazz master laureate Marcus Belgrave, died on Sunday, May 24.
Belgrave who succumbed to heart and pulmonary disease, was lauded as a masterful musician and the reigning patriarch of the Detroit jazz scene for more than four decades.
The Michigan Chronicle had the opportunity to talk with Belgrave before his death. Below are excerpts from our exclusive interview with this great and beloved artist during Starr Commonwealth’s Art of Resilience
When jazz great Marcus Belgrave accepted the first ever Starr Commonwealth Art of Resilience Award at the international organization’s Summer Youth Festival on a picture perfect Sunday in Detroit’s Paradise Valley, guests at the VIP reception and tribute were spellbound by the legendary artist. As the beloved band leader and trumpeter made his way to the microphone, after a moving introduction by award-winning journalist Kim Heeron, Belgrave announced that he would share stories about his escapades with his mentor the late great Ray Charles. But a voice from the crowd of fans and friends, implored him to keep those stories on the q.t., joking that there were children present. So the raspy voiced music man in a signature jazz move, switched tempos and toned down his acceptance speech, briefly touching on some of the great moments of his career, like working with music icons Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald and Max Roach.
“Ray [Charles] had a way of reaching out and stretching your imagination. I’ve tried to approach my music in the same way. I’ve tried to reach out to the public without denying myself,” Belgrave explained as he stood admiring the colorful artist rendering of the man and his horn.
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“I knew from the first time I heard Louis Armstrong what I wanted to do. … And I was going to have to earn a living to take care of my family doing it,” the 78-year-old Belgrave declared, adding, “It was going to be a problem if I couldn’t support my family doing what I love so dearly.”
Over the course of his career, the master musician has mentored a number of established and emerging artists, including Detroit-born stars like drummer Karriem Riggins, bassist Rodney Whitaker, violinist Regina Carter and tenor sax player James Carter. Star pupils trumpeter Marcus Elliott and pianist Ian Finkelstein followed Belgrave’s acceptance speech with several inspired musical selections, occasionally looking to their teacher to gage his reaction and express their gratitude via stellar performances.
Starr Commonwealth’s tribute to Belgrave marked the opening of the first Annual Art of Resilience Youth Festival, as the well-orchestrated celebration of youth event transitioned seamlessly from start to close with a variety of performances ranging from music to dance, to poetry and visual arts. Hundreds of area youths hailing from 40 organizations joined Belgrave and Starr Commonwealth in celebrating the artistic achievements of young people across Detroit.
“The significance of an internationally renowned musician like Marcus Belgrave being honored here in the city’s historic Paradise Valley, which was also known as Harmonie Park is just staggering. There is so much creativity and energy being generated by the Art of Resilience event, and it’s great that all of this talent is here to share their gifts and contributions,” said festival-goer Saja Barnes.
The Starr Commonwealth organization is dedicated to creating positive environments in which children and families flourish. The 100-year-old organization specializes in developing and supporting programs that build on the strength of children, adults and families in communities around the world.
As for the Jazz Master Laureate — as Belgrave is officially known — his storied contributions to the all-important mission of youth and community development as well as music in Detroit and around the nation are beyond measure. “My coming to Detroit was lifesaving to me,” Belgrave says of the rigors of life on the road, “but I also hope that my making Detroit home is of benefit to young and aspiring musicians throughout the city.”
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