Fri 1/17 @ 3PM
Last May, Cleveland blues vocalist and harmonica player “Crazy Marvin” Braxton celebrated his 80th birthday with a blowout at the Treelawn in the Waterloo Arts District, despite his increasingly poor health, which had caused him to dial back such stage antics as dancing on bar tops, antics which gave him his nickname. Sadly, he passed away December 27.
Braxton had been singing and blowing the blues over the course of a 60-year career, all the way back to the days of Cleveland’s legendary Leo’s Casino which all the legendary blues and soul performers made their home in the 60s. He performed for years under the name Crazy Marvin & the Blues Express, holding down regular gigs at area clubs such as Brothers Lounge where he gave full vent to his high-energy stage show and colorful costumes.
Of course, he accumulated many friends and fans in the blues community as well as thew wider community in all those years. And this week they’ll be celebrating his life. His funeral service and wake will take place at the Watson Funeral Home. 10913 Superior Avenue, on Friday January 17 @ 12:30pm (public viewing is Thursday January 16 @ 9am-5pm).
After the service, his family, friends and followers will gather at the Beachland starting at 3pm, with a jam session hosted by Musicians Union Local 4 from 4-6pm. Guitarist J. Blues. Bassist Ray DeForest, drummer Ricky Exton and pianist Dennis Chandler will provide the backup band for various friends of Marvin to perform with.
All are welcome. A bigger tribute is planned for upcoming months.
Cleveland, OH 44110