Marcus Belgrave made his professional debut at 12. He performed with Ray Charles, Charles Mingus, and Motown’s Funk Brothers. He mentored generations of musicians and helped shape Detroit’s jazz scene. But chances are, you’ve never heard of him.

A new documentary, AND DAMN, HE COULD PLAY, aims to change that. The film makes its world premiere at DOC NYC this November, celebrating the unsung trumpet player who left his mark all over American music.

Directed by Emmy winner Timashion Jones, the 91-minute portrait traces Belgrave’s journey from prodigy to educator. Mentored by trumpet icon Clifford Brown, Belgrave became a guiding force himself, teaching and inspiring jazz luminaries like Geri Allen, Kenny Garrett, and Regina Carter. He was also a key figure in Tribe, Detroit’s groundbreaking arts collective.

The doc features archival performances and interviews with Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Don Was, Sheila Jordan, and techno pioneer Carl Craig, among others. Narrated by Wendell Pierce, it’s written by Jones and producer Brad Torreano.

It’s a tribute to an artist who never chased the spotlight but shaped the sound of everyone around him. For anyone who cares about jazz history or the creative ecosystems that keep music alive, this one matters.