[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING JAZZ ARTIST AND MUSIC EDUCATOR MARCUS BELGRAVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and career 
of a friend and fellow Detroiter, Marcus Belgrave. He will be honored 
at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative 
Conference Jazz Issue Forum and Concert on September 16, 2010. Belgrave 
is a living jazz impresario; he plays, writes, composes, and teaches. 
In doing so, he has inspired other artists such as Geri Allen and Kenny 
Garrett.
  In 2009, Marcus Belgrave was honored by the Kresge Foundation as 
their Eminent Artist. Belgrave's career has spanned many generations. 
During this time, he has worked with many of the great musicians of our 
time: Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, McCoy Tyner, Dizzy 
Gillespie, Eric Dolphy, Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis and Joe 
Henderson. Every musician he has played with can attest to his skill as 
a musician and composer.
  Belgrave's career started at the age of 18 with several 
collaborations with Ray Charles. He was given a solo on the song 
Alexander's Ragtime Band on the album The Genius of Ray Charles. We 
have heard Belgrave's talents as a musician demonstrated on some of 
Motown's greatest hit records such as My Girl and Dancing in the 
Street. Belgrave is also an original member of Lincoln Center Jazz 
Orchestra.
  In 1997, as a jazz ambassador, Belgrave carried the sounds of 
American jazz to Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle 
East. In 1997, he traveled with five other Michigan jazz masters to 
Egypt, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey as part of a 
six-nation cultural exchange sponsored by the U.S. Agency for 
International Development.
  Belgrave gravitated toward working with young musicians in Detroit 
during the 1970s. He established the Jazz Development Workshop and co-
founded the Jazz Studies Program at the Detroit Metro Arts Complex. He 
is also a professor of Jazz studies at Oberlin College in Ohio. Many of 
his young proteges have established successful careers in the music 
industry.
  Madam Speaker, Marcus Belgrave's career has been nothing short of 
legendary. He has had a lasting impact on the music community of 
Detroit and is recognized and appreciated around the world. His 
contributions as a performer, composer and educator deserve the 
recognition of this body. I urge all Members to acquaint themselves 
with this great artist and his music.

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