Listen here Joan Belgrave as she’s interviewed on Let’s Talk About It with T. Pablo on DetroitHottRadio.com.
JOAN BELGRAVE is Detroit’s most noted Jazz singer. Known for her soothing voice, Joan has performed at historic venues like Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, The Jazz Cafe at The Music Hall, The Dirty Dog Jazz Café, The Fillmore Theatre, Orchestra Hall, and The Detroit Opera House. Nationally, she has performed at famed Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York and The Metropolitan Room. And her international travels have taken her to The Toronto Jazz Festival, Jazz à la Villette in Paris, and The Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland. But she is so much more. In addition to her trademark Jazz sound, Joan has also sung Blues, Gospel, Big Band, Standards, and Contemporary R&B. Jazz Review Magazine in Toronto calls her “a class act and a beautiful talent.” Joan has produced 7 albums – five with her late husband, legendary Jazz trumpeter, Marcus Belgrave. She has also recorded tributes to Billie Holliday, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong. And she has worked with some of America’s leading Jazz singers and musicians like Regina Carter, Charlie Gabriel, Kirk Lightsey, Geri Allen, James Carter, Don Was, Carmen Lundy, and Ali Jackson. Known for clean notes, vibrant melodies and vocal versatility, Joan Belgrave is remarkable.
Joan’s musical career began at age 3. She was so good so early that her parents would take her to neighborhood house parties and put her up on a soapbox to sing with adult singers. In 1st grade, Joan’s talent was spotted by Dr. Willis Patterson, Professor of Classical Music at The University of Michigan, who gave her private vocal training. From age 6 to 11, Joan sang in the Children’s Choir at her church and won several talent shows in middle school. In high school she sang with the choir. After graduating, Joan entered the prestigious Interlochen International Music Academy where she received elite classical vocal training. Restless to begin her singing career, Joan moved to Los Angeles and began singing at clubs to gain professional experience. After 4 years of singing, she got married, had 3 kids and didn’t sing again for 15 years while being totally devoted to raising her children.
In 1994, Joan returned to Detroit to attend the funeral of her father. Her mother asked her to sing at the services and the emotional experience rekindled her passion for singing.
After her dad’s passing, Joan returned to California and resurrected her music career. Her busy performance schedule took a toll on her marriage, though, and she divorced in 1996. In 1998, Joan released her first CD entitled, “Emotions Blue”. It was a tribute to Billie Holliday. Then in 2003 she released “Variations”. During this period, Joan served as the manager of a recording studio in San Jose where she gained great production experience. With her kids now grown, Joan decided it was time to move back to Detroit and build her Jazz singing career there. A year later while performing at Open Mike Night at Bert’s Place,
she caught the attention of famed Jazz trumpeter, Marcus Belgrave. He was so mesmerized by her talent that he invited her to sing with his band for some upcoming gigs. One year later Joan became his permanent lead vocalist and the couple began dating.
In 2005, Joan traveled across the country and internationally with Marcus for 40 show dates on two separate tours – “The Louis Armstrong Tribute Show” and the “New Orleans Jazz Show”. Then in 2006, Marcus and Joan recorded their first CD together. It was a tribute to Ray Charles entitled, “You Don’t Know Me”. That same year, Joan became the manager and booking agent for the band in addition to her role as lead singer. In 2007, Marcus and Joan got married and continued touring. In 2009, they recorded two CDS - “Excitable” and “Once Again”. Joan also separately recorded a Techno-Jazz song
called “Where Am I” with producer Carl Craig who began Detroit’s Techno Festival. Learn more of Joan Belgrave here: http://joanbelgrave.com/
she caught the attention of famed Jazz trumpeter, Marcus Belgrave. He was so mesmerized by her talent that he invited her to sing with his band for some upcoming gigs. One year later Joan became his permanent lead vocalist and the couple began dating.
In 2005, Joan traveled across the country and internationally with Marcus for 40 show dates on two separate tours – “The Louis Armstrong Tribute Show” and the “New Orleans Jazz Show”. Then in 2006, Marcus and Joan recorded their first CD together. It was a tribute to Ray Charles entitled, “You Don’t Know Me”. That same year, Joan became the manager and booking agent for the band in addition to her role as lead singer. In 2007, Marcus and Joan got married and continued touring. In 2009, they recorded two CDS - “Excitable” and “Once Again”. Joan also separately recorded a Techno-Jazz song
called “Where Am I” with producer Carl Craig who began Detroit’s Techno Festival. Learn more of Joan Belgrave here: http://joanbelgrave.com/
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