Branford Marsalis

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Branford Marsalis.
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Branford Marsalis.

Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960, Beaux Bridge, Louisiana, 26 August 1960) is an American jazz saxophonist.

He began his professional career in the early 1980s playing with Art Blakey's big band, Clark Terry, and Blakey's Jazz Messengers. From 1982 to 1985 he played with his brother Wynton's group, then left to play in Sting's backup band. In 1985, he appeared at Live Aid as Sting's only accompaniment (later joined by Phil Collins). He also toured with Miles Davis in one of the latter's last bands. In 1986 he set up his own group. From 1992 to 1995 he was musical director of the Tonight Show Band. He then set up the Buckshot LeFonque project which intended to combine jazz with rhythm and blues, hip hop, and rock. Throughout the early 1990s, Branford had a series of guest appearances with the Grateful Dead, which are among the most popular performances in that band's history.

Creator of the record company Marsalis Music.

He is the oldest of the six Marsalis brothers, four of whom are jazz musicians, as is their father Ellis Marsalis. He is most prominently known in jazz as a tenor and soprano saxophonist and a most talented brilliant musical innovator among his brothers. Branford is a Life Scout and his brother Wynton is an Eagle Scout.

Contents

[edit] Musicians' Village

Main article: Musicians' Village

After Hurricane Katrina, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis came up with an initiative to help restore New Orleans's musical heritage. Habitat for Humanity and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, working with Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis announced December 6, 2005, plans for a Musicians' Village in New Orleans. The Musicians' Village will include Habitat-constructed homes, with a Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, as the area's centerpiece. The Habitat-built homes will provide musicians of modest means the opportunity to buy decent, affordable housing.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • 2006 Braggtown
  • 2004 A Love Supreme Live in Amsterdam - DVD
  • 2004 Eternal
  • 2003 Romare Bearden Revealed - CD Issued in Conjunction with The Art of Romare Bearden (american painter)
  • 2002 Footsteps of our Fathers - Branford again revisits the works of past masters, interpreting the tunes from his own angle
  • 2001 Creation - some classical music rearranged for saxophone and orchestra
  • 2000 Contemporary Jazz - that's what it is. Grammy Winner in category Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
  • 1999 Requiem - recorded days before the death of and dedicated to pianist Kenny Kirkland, this album is undeniably one of The Branford Marsalis Quartet's greatest and most immediate works
  • 1997 Music Evolution - the second Buckshot LeFonque project
  • 1996 The Dark Keys
  • 1996 Loved Ones - a duet with his father Ellis Marsalis (piano)
  • 1994 Buckshot LeFonque
  • 1993 Bloomington - live recording (magnificent atmosphere)
  • 1992 I Heard You Twice The First Time - Branford's quartet pairs up with some Jazz and Blues greats (including B.B.King, John Lee Hooker, Rip Tip Johnson) for a romp through the history of African-American music. Grammy Winner in category Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual Or Group
  • 1991 The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born - with guests Wynton Marsalis (trumpet) and Courtney Pine (tenor saxophone)
  • 1990 Crazy People Music
  • 1990 Mo' Better Blues - soundtrack to the movie
  • 1989 Do The Right Thing - music composed and conducted by Bill Lee
  • 1989 Trio Jeepy - an album of standards featuring Milt Hinton (bass) and Jeff Watts (drums)
  • 1988 Random Abstract
  • 1987 Renaissance - on "The Peacocks": Herbie Hancock – Piano, Buster Williams - Bass
  • 1986 Royal Garden Blues
  • 1986 Romances for Saxophone - some little pieces of classical evergreens
  • 1984 Scenes In The City

Branford also appears as a sideman on:

[edit] Album Reviews

[edit] External links

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