Marvin Braxton

Marvin Braxton was born on May 30, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Charles and Laura Braxton. He was the sixth child of eight children.

Marvin grew up in the Miles Park section of South-East Cleveland where he attended Beehive Elementary School and then Nathan Hale Jr. High School, however, Marvin never went on to high school. Instead, Marvin became a horse "Hot Walker" at the Thistledown Racetrack and begun to travel during that type of work with different racetracks throughout the country.

Marvin's love for music began at the age of nine where he learned how to play the harmonica. Marvin couldalso play the piano, harp, flute, clarinet, tuba, and guitar. He could sing too! The beginning of Marvin'sprofessional musical career would start at Leo's Casino in Cleveland where he won a contest that resulted inhis going to New York City, where all kinds of things would begin to happen for him.

Marvin won twice the amateur talent night contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. It was there in 1969,where he was introduced to very famous and influential people. One of these was the legendary Sylvester"Sly" Stone, of Sly and the Family Stone. Marvin played the harmonica and was a vocal on one of Sly'sfounding recording group, the "6IX", in California where Marvin would later reside.

On September 25, 1969, Marvin recorded two songs with Jimi Hendrix "Drinking Wine", "Sipping Time" and "Villanova Junction". Marvin often called himself "Little Jimmy Reed", Harmonica, or Lil Marvin where he also recorded his firstalbum called "Lil Marvin" also in 1969. Marvin would have the opportunity to play with many other global and local blues, reggae, and pop legendssuch as The Fulla Love Orchestra, B.B King, The Beatles, Ray Charles, Robert Lockwood, Guitar Slim, and Barry Manilow.

Marvin would continue traveling and playing various music genres across the country and overseas. Tiring ofthe travel, he would later move back to Cleveland. It was home where he would eventually meet and marry his wife Aurelia (Rita) on August 20, 1988.

He then joined the Cleveland-based band, Dave and the Blues Express. After the death of the Lead Singer Dave, the band became "Crazy Marvin and the Blues Express." His wife Rita would join him and occasionally played the tambourine with the band.

Marvin was the life of the party with a contagious laugh and free spirit. He loved to bake and cook. His cooking specialty were lamb, rabbit, and other exotic dishes as what he would call "Monkey hips and rice." Often seen as a dapper dresser, Marvin loved wearing his three-piece suits, and cowboy hats. Marvin was also an avid bike rider. The consummate entertainer, Marvin dressed up in costumes such as in gorilla, bunny rabbit, reggae, or clown suites to entertain the crowd and his family. 

Marvin would go on and receive several awards such as the 2013 induction into the Cleveland Blues Hall of Fame. The 2013 Resolution of Recognition by the City of Cleveland and Glenville Community. The 2006 King of Harmonica given by the Cleveland Gay Rose Production Group. And Marvin was among the 1957 to present, Greatest R&B Legends from Cleveland, Ohio. Marvin participated many times in the Cleveland Blues All-Stars Shows.

Proceeded in Marvin's death are his parents Charles and Laura Braxton; his wife, Aurelia White Braxton; son, Marvin Jr.; brothers, Verdie and Ronald; sisters, Cleo and Laura Ellen; stepdaughters, Cyd Charisse (Bunny) and Aurelia (Junebug) White. Marvin leaves to cherish his memories are sisters, Marlene Armstrong and Diane (Leo Patterson); children by marriage, Robert White Jr.; Andre White (Denise); Gwendolyn (Johnnie West); Eunice White; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family members and dear friends.