Originating in the Reisterstown area, the Marcels band consisted of Gene Parry (guitar), Don Cullison (keyboards), John Badrick (bass), P.J. Schmelling (drums ex-Cryptic Image), Bill Warfield (trumpet), Chuck Colwill (sax), and Ken Alban (alto sax).
The group played many gigs including private parties, teen centers, and school dances around the Reisterstown, Arcadia, Owings Mills, Pikesville, Catonsville areas.
In 1968 Cullison left the group and vocalist Nina Abramo (sister of Donna Marie) joined. They became known as Nina & the Marcels and continued playing locally while performing in Baltimore clubs, Martin’s West, Boring Fire Hall, and worked during the summer in Ocean City appearing at the Pier Ballroom.
Parry went on to join Cryptic Image, and Lucifer. Badrick later played in Blue Steel. Warfield later played for Beggar’s Opera, Falstaff, Both Worlds before moving to New York where he continued to play music professionally. His illustrious career includes performing with many great jazz artists including Stan Kenton, David Sanborn, Sonny Stitt, Randy Brecker, Mel Torme, Ornette Coleman, and many others. With his Big Band he released the album “New York City Jazz” in 1988. In 1994 he released the album “The City Never Sleeps” on Seabreeze Records. Warfield teaches music and is on the advisory board for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
