Jazz trumpeteer, Marcus Belgrave was born on June 12nd, 1936 in Chester, Pennsylvania, in a musical family (Cecil Payne was Marcus´ cousin). He was a member of Ray Charles Band for five years (1958 to 1963, although he played with Ray Charles again for a while from 1970 to 1971), along with other jazz greats such as Hank Crawford, Leroy Cooper and David ´Fathead´ Newman.
After leaving Ray Charles Band, he settled in Detroit, playing in many classics for Motown artists (Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Martha & The Vandellas, The Temptations, but mostly uncredited). In the 70s he also played as sessionman for lesser known artists recorded in Detroit, apart from docent activity teaching and helping young and new jazz musicians.
RAY CHARLES BAND
This was the Ray Charles Band in October 1961:
RAY CHARLES BAND #? |
1961 |
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Ray Charles † vocals, piano | Elbert Forriest guitar | Edgar Willis bass | John Hunt trumpet | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Phil Guilbeau trumpet |
Wallace Davenport † trumpet | Leroy Cooper † sax | Hank Crawford † sax, clarinet | Don Wilkerson † sax, clarinet | Rudy Powell † sax, clarinet | David ´Fathead´ Newman † sax, flute |
Henderson Chambers † trombone | James Lee Herbert trombone | Keg Johnson † trombone | Leon Comegys trombone | Bruno Carr drums | Margie Hendricks backing vocals |
Ethel McCrea † backing vocals | Gwendolyn Berry backing vocals | Priscilla Lyles backing vocals |
Other info on members of Ray Charles Band (I know up to 83 members) | |
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Already covered (3): | Leroy Cooper, Hank Crawford, David ´Fathead´ Newman |
To be covered (24): | Alvin Batiste, Steve Beskrone, Kenny Burrell, Roy Burrowes, Henderson Chambers, Ray Charles, Wallace Davenport, George Duvivier, Tom Fowler, Dizzy Gillespie, Susaye Greene, Phil Guilbeau, Roger Ingram, Charles Johnson, Keg Johnson, Blue Mitchell, Bob Odneal, Don Peake, Jeff Pevar, Kenny Rampton, Mickey Roker, Ernest Vantrease, Jack Walrath, Danny Wilensky |
Not enough info (55): | Craig Bailey, Peter Beltran, Gwendolyn Berry, Bruno Carr, Kenneth Carr, James Clay, Trudy Cochran, Leon Comegys, Wayne Coniglio, Steven Elliott, Karen Evans, James Farnsworth, Marc Fields, Sonny Forriest, Lawrence Foyen, Scott Frillman, Kenneth Garr, Benoit Grey, Michael Guerrier, Katrina Harper, Jeffrey Helgesen, Margie Hendricks, James Lee Herbert, David Hoffmann, John Hunt,... up to 55 musicians. |
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP
This was the superb Marcus Belgrave Sextet that played at Montreux Jazz Festival in July 1982:
By the way, Belgrave and drummer Danny Spencer also backed singer Sippie Wallace at the same festival.
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP #? |
1982 |
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Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Robert Hurst bass | Geri Allen piano | Donald Walden † sax | Vincent York sax, flute | Danny Spencer drums |
By the way, Belgrave and drummer Danny Spencer also backed singer Sippie Wallace at the same festival.
GEORGE GRUNTZ BAND
Marcus Belgrave was part of George Gruntz Band during 1983 and 1984.
This was the George Gruntz Concert Band when they recorded the live album Theatre in July 1983:
This was the George Gruntz Concert Band in July 1984:
This was the George Gruntz Concert Band when they recorded the live album Theatre in July 1983:
GEORGE GRUNTZ BAND #? |
1983 |
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George Gruntz † keyboards, conductor | Sheila Jordan vocals | Mark Egan bass | Dino Saluzzi bandoneon | Palle Mikkelborg trumpet, flugelhorn | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet, flugelhorn |
Tom Harrell trumpet, flugelhorn | Bill Pusey trumpet, flugelhorn | Charlie Mariano † horns | Seppo Paakkunainen horns | Ernst Ludwig Petrowsky horns | Dave Bargeron trombone, euphonium |
Julian Priester trombone | David Taylor trombone | Howard Johnson tuba, clarinet, sax | Peter Gordon french horn | Tom Varner french horn | Bob Moses drums |
This was the George Gruntz Concert Band in July 1984:
GEORGE GRUNTZ BAND #? |
1984 |
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George Gruntz † keyboards, conductor | Kim Clarke bass | Dino Saluzzi bandoneon | Palle Mikkelborg trumpet, flugelhorn | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet, flugelhorn | Bill Pusey trumpet, flugelhorn |
Urs Blochlinger sax | Seppo Paakkunainen sax, flute | Ernst Ludwig Petrowsky sax, clarinet | Dave Bargeron trombone | Sam Burtis trombone | David Taylor trombone |
Howard Johnson clarinet, sax | Sharon Freeman french horn | Tom Varner french horn | Pheeroan Ak Laff drums |
Other info on members of George Gruntz Band (I know up to 196 members) | |
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Already covered (6): | Harry Beckett, George Gruntz, Peter Herbolzheimer, Paul Motian, Lew Soloff, Mike Zwerin |
To be covered (189): | Wolfgang Ahlers, Pheeroan Ak Laff, Flavio Ambrosetti, Franco Ambrosetti, Jay Anderson, Ray Anderson, Charly Antolini, Benny Bailey, Dave Bargeron, Art Baron, Django Bates, Americo Bellotto, Jerry Bergonzi, Tim Berne, Luciano Biondini, Seamus Blake, Urs Blochlinger, Luis Bonilla, Allan Botschinsky, Billy Branch, Randy Brecker, Gerry Brown, Sam Burtis, Vincent Chancey, John Clark,... up to 189 musicians. |
DETROIT JAZZ ORCHESTRA
This was the Detroit Jazz Orchestar in 1987:
DETROIT JAZZ ORCHESTRA # |
1987 |
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Donald Walden † sax, leader | Gene Kee conductor | Ray McKinney † bass | Barry Harris piano | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Phil Lasley sax |
Vincent York flute | Randy Gelispie drums | Inez Redman violin | Gwen Laster violin | Mary Richards violin | Flo Robbins violin |
Lisa Lee violin | Tracy Gibson violin | Larry Flangan viola | Marlene Rice viola | Nancy Chaklos cello | Ken Whitley cello |
Andrea Thorne cello |
Other info on members of Detroit Jazz Orchestra (I know up to 19 members) | |
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To be covered (1): | Barry Harris |
Not enough info (17): | Nancy Chaklos, Larry Flangan, Randy Gilispie, Tracy Gibson, Gene Kee, Phil Lasley, Gwen Laster, Lisa Lee, Ray McKinney, Inez Redman, Marlene Rice, Mary Richards, Flo Robbins, Andrea Thorne, Donald Walden, Ken Whitley, Vincent York |
ALL STAR DETROIT BAND
In 1988, the All Star Detroit Band backed Mel Lewis in some concert:
ALL STAR DETROIT BAND # |
1988 |
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Mel Lewis † drums | Don Mayberry † bass | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Gordon Camp trumpet | Eddie Nuccilli trumpet | Johnny Trudell trumpet |
Max Berger sax | James Carter sax | George Benson sax | Ernie Rogers sax | Vincent York sax | Edward Gooch trombone |
Albert Duncan trombone | Ron Kischuk trombone | Jimmy Wilkins trombone | + some other, unknown to me. Help! |
Other info on members of All Star Detroit Band (I know up to 15 members) | |
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To be covered (2): | Mel Lewis, Jimmy Wilkins |
Not enough info (12): | George Benson, Max Berger, Gordon Camp, James Carter, Albert Duncan, Edward Gooch, Ron Kischuk, Don Mayberry, Eddie Nuccilli, Ernie Rogers, Johnny Trudell, Vincent York |
J C HEARD GROUP
This was the J C Heard Orchestra in July 1988:
J C HEARD GROUP #? |
1988 |
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J C Heard drums | Mike Grace bass | Earl Van Riper keyboards | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Walt Szymansky trumpet | Jon-Erik Kellso trumpet |
Steve Hunter trombone | Dan McAllister trombone | Michael Pashenee trombone | Scott Petersen sax | Russ Miller sax | Chris Pitts sax |
Mark Berger sax |
Other info on members of J C Heard Group (I know up to 15 members) | |
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To be covered (1): | Earl Van Dyke |
Not enough info (13): | Mark Berger, Charlie Gabriel, Mike Grace, J C Heard, Steve Hunter, Jon-Erik Kellso, Dan McAllister, Russ Miller, Michael Pashenee, Scott Petersen, Chris Pitts, Walt Szymansky, Earl Van Riper |
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP (again)
This was the Marcus Belgrave Septet in June 1990:
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP #? |
1990 |
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Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Rodney Whitaker bass | Gary Schunk piano | Vincent York sax | Donald Walden † horns, flute | Jerome Le Duff percussion |
Lawrence Williams drums |
AL GREY GROUP
This was the Al Grey Group that recorded the live album Live at the Floating Jazz Festival in October 1990:
AL GREY GROUP #? |
1990 |
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Al Grey † trombone | Joe Cohn guitar | Steve Novosel bass | Gabriel Armstrong trumpet | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Rickey Woodard sax |
Mike Grey trombone | Bobby Durham † drums |
Other info on members of Al Grey Group (I know up to 8 members) | |
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To be covered (2): | Bobby Durham, Al Grey |
Not enough info (5): | Gabriel Armstrong, Joe Cohn, Mike Grey, Steve Novosel, Rickey Woodard |
FRANZ JACKSON GROUP
In July 1994, Franz Jackson & Marcus Belgrave join forces to record the live album Live at Windsor Jazz Festival III, with this lineup:
FRANZ JACKSON GROUP # |
1994 |
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Franz Jackson † sax | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Don Mayberry † bass | Chuck Sermetaro keyboards | Frank Isola † drums |
Other info on members of Franz Jackson Group (I know up to 5 members) | |
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To be covered (1): | Frank Isola |
Not enough info (3): | Franz Jackson, Don Mayberry, Chuck Sermetaro |
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP (again)
This was the Marcus Belgrave Quintet around May 2009:
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP #? |
2009 |
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Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Marion Hayden bass | Bill Meyer keyboards | Charlie Gabriel sax | Gayelynn McKinney drums |
KIRK LIGHTSEY GROUP
This was Kirk Lightsey Group in June 2010:
KIRK LIGHTSEY GROUP #? |
2010 |
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Kirk Lightsey keyboards | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Joan Belgrave vocals | Marion Hayden bass | De´Sean Jones sax | Gayelynn McKinney drums |
Other info on members of Kirk Lightsey Group (I know up to 9 members) | |
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Already covered (1): | Joe Lee Wilson |
To be covered (3): | Joan Belgrave, Kirk Lightsey, Dave Wickins |
Not enough info (4): | Marion Hayden, De´Sean Jones, Gayelynn McKinney, Steve Watts |
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP (again)
This was the Marcus Belgrave Group around January 2012:
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP #? |
2012 |
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Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Joan Belgrave vocals | Richard Evans bass | Roger Gittens keyboards | Poonka percussion |
JOAN BELGRAVE GROUP
This was the great band backing jazz vocalist Joan Belgrave in July 2012:
JOAN BELGRAVE GROUP #? |
2012 |
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Joan Belgrave vocals | Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Marion Hayden bass | Bill Meyer keyboards | Vincent Bowens sax | Gayelynn McKinney drums |
Other info on members of Joan Belgrave Group (I know up to 6 members) | |
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To be covered (1): | Joan Belgrave |
Not enough info (4): | Vincent Bowens, Marion Hayden, Gayelynn McKinney, Bill Meyer |
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP (again)
This was the special lineup for Marcus Belgrave Louis Armstrong Legacy performance at jazz festivals in August 2014:
This was the Marcus Belgrave Group in October 2014:
Marcus Belgrave passed away on May 24th, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. What a great player. Being a master at trumpet, I somehow enjoy better his performances with a flugelhorn, really moving.
   18 BANDS (WITH 30 SELECTED RECORDINGS):
   24 ALBUMS FOR 8 BANDMATES AND FRIENDS:
   7 COLLECTIVE ALBUMS:
   53 SESSIONS (FOR 39 ARTISTS):
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP #? |
2014 |
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Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Nicholas Payton trumpet | Wendell Brunious trumpet | Barbara Morrison vocals | Joan Belgrave vocals | Larry Gabriel banjo |
Marion Hayden bass | Michael Malis keyboards | Kasan Belgrave sax, clarinet | Nolan Young sax | Chris Smith trombone | Gayelynn McKinney drums |
This was the Marcus Belgrave Group in October 2014:
MARCUS BELGRAVE GROUP #? |
2014 |
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Marcus Belgrave † trumpet | Ibrahim Jones bass | Michael Malis keyboards | Kasan Belgrave sax, clarinet | Nolan Young sax | Djallo Djakate drums |
Other info on members of Marcus Belgrave Group (I know up to 30 members) | |
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To be covered (7): | Geri Allen, Joan Belgrave, Wendell Brunious, Regina Carter, Robert Hurst, Barbara Morrison, Nicholas Payton |
Not enough info (22): | Kasan Belgrave, Djallo Djakate, Richard Evans, Charlie Gabriel, Larry Gabriel, Roger Gittens, Marion Hayden, Ibrahim Jones, Jerome Le Duff, Michael Malis, Gayelynn McKinney, Bill Meyer, Poonka, Rick Roe, Gary Schunk, Chris Smith, Danny Spencer, Donald Walden, Rodney Whitaker, Lawrence Williams, Vincent York, Nolan Young |
Marcus Belgrave passed away on May 24th, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. What a great player. Being a master at trumpet, I somehow enjoy better his performances with a flugelhorn, really moving.
   18 BANDS (WITH 30 SELECTED RECORDINGS):
BAND / ARTIST | . | RECORDINGS | ||||||||
All Star Detroit Band |   |  
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Joan Belgrave Group |   |  
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Marcus Belgrave Group |   | 8 RECORDINGS:
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Ray Charles Band |   | 6 RECORDINGS:
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Creative Profile |   |  
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Detroit Jazz Orchestra |   |  
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Al Grey Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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George Gruntz Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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J C Heard Group |   |  
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II-V-I Orchestra |   |  
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Franz Jackson Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Kirk Lightsey Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Harold McKinney Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Charlie Persip Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Pioneer Orchestra |   |  
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Max Roach Group |   |  
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Tribe |   |  
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   24 ALBUMS FOR 8 BANDMATES AND FRIENDS:
BAND / ARTIST | . | RECORDINGS | ||||||||
Geri Allen Group |   | 5 RECORDINGS:
| ||||||||
Regina Carter Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Hank Crawford Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Wendell Harrison Group |   | 4 RECORDINGS:
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Robert Hurst Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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David ´Fathead´ Newman Group |   | 3 RECORDINGS:
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Cecil Payne Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Rodney Whitaker Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
|
   7 COLLECTIVE ALBUMS:
BAND / ARTIST | . | RECORDINGS |
VVAA |   | 4 RECORDINGS:
|
   53 SESSIONS (FOR 39 ARTISTS):
BAND / ARTIST | . | RECORDINGS | ||||||||
ADC Band |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Roland Alexander Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Curtis Amy Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Betty Blake Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Mark Braun Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Roy Brooks Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Joe Cocker Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Dennis Coffey Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Norman Connors Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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The Detroit Experiment |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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The Essence All Stars |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Floy Joy |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Four Tops |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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The Funk Brothers |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Marvin Gaye Band |   | 1 COMPILATIONS:
| ||||||||
Michael Henderson Band |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Joe Henderson Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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B B King Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Betty Lou Landreth Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Michigan Jazz Masters |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Charlie Mingus Band |   | 3 RECORDINGS:
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The Miracles |   | 1 COMPILATIONS:
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Cristina Monet Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Francisco Mora Catlett Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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David Murray Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Junko Onishi Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Parliament |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Houston Person Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Phillip Ranelin Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Martha Reeves Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Eddie Russ |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Sugar Billy |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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The Supremes |   | 1 COMPILATIONS:
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Horace Tapscott Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Mickey Tucker Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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McCoy Tyner Group |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Was Not Was |   | 2 RECORDINGS:
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Lyman Woodard Group |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
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Alexander Zonjic Band |   | 1 RECORDINGS:
|
RELATED WEBSITE LINKS: 4
Official site(s) - tell them you saw the link here:
Wikipedia doesn´t want to include links to this website, but I won´t do the same with them. So, from the great Wikipedia, we have:
RELATED MUSICIANS:
Marcus Belgrave mostly worked with these musicians: (name + number of credits)
Hank Crawford (29)
David ´Fathead´ Newman (28)
Edgar Willis (23)
Ray Charles (20)
John Hunt (19)
Milt Turner (17)
Leroy Cooper (15)
Phil Guilbeau (15)
Nesuhi Ertegun (13)
Wendell Harrison (13)
Maurice Davis (12)
Bruno Carr (11)
Jerry Wexler (11)
Page created by Miguel Terol on: 29/May/2015 - Last modified on: 29/May/2015. If you want to contribute with info, please write to: molympus1@gmail.com
Please, note than you can check the indexes (musicians, bands, obituaries) at the top of this page.