Branford Marsalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Branford Marsalis
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Branford Marsalis performing in 2011
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| Background information | |
| Born | August 26, 1960 Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1980–present |
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Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960) is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He is best known for his amazing jazz music with the Branford Marsalis Quartet. He also plays classical music and led a group called Buckshot LeFonque. From 1992 to 1995, he was the bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
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Early Life and Musical Family
Branford Marsalis was born on August 26, 1960, in New Orleans. His mother, Dolores, was a jazz singer. His father, Ellis Marsalis, Jr., was a pianist and music teacher. Music runs in his family! His brothers, Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Delfeayo Marsalis, are also talented jazz musicians.
Starting His Music Journey: 1980–1985
Branford finished high school in 1978. He played in an R&B band called The Creators back then. He went to Southern University and studied with jazz clarinetist Alvin Batiste. Later, he moved to Berklee College of Music in Boston.
While still a student, Branford toured Europe. He played saxophone with famous drummer Art Blakey and his band, the Jazz Messengers. He also played with other big bands like Lionel Hampton's. By 1981, he joined his brother Wynton in the Jazz Messengers. He started focusing on soprano and tenor saxophones. He even played with music legends like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. His first album, Scenes in the City, came out during this time.
Growing as a Musician: 1985–1995
In 1985, Branford joined Sting, the singer from the band The Police. He played on Sting's first solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Branford became a regular musician for Sting, playing on albums and tours until 1999.
In 1986, Branford started his own band, the Branford Marsalis Quartet. The band included pianist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, and bass player Robert Hurst. Their first album, Royal Garden Blues, was released that year. This quartet won a Grammy Award in 1992 for their album I Heard You Twice the First Time.
Branford also appeared in movies. He was in Spike Lee's film School Daze in 1988. He also played a short version of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" for Lee's film Do the Right Thing in 1989.
From 1990 to 1994, Branford played many times with the band Grateful Dead. He even appeared on their live album Without a Net. He found his popularity with their fans quite surprising!
In 1992, Branford became the leader of the Tonight Show Band. This was for the new The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He brought his quartet members with him to be part of the band. He left the show in 1995 because he didn't enjoy always having to show enthusiasm for jokes he didn't find funny.
In 1994, Branford started a new group called Buckshot LeFonque. This group mixed jazz with rock and hip-hop music. Their first album, Buckshot LeFonque, came out that year.
New Directions: 1995–2007
In 1997, the Branford Marsalis Quartet got a new bass player, Eric Revis. After Kenny Kirkland passed away, Joey Calderazzo became the new pianist. The quartet has continued to tour and record many albums.
In 2002, Branford started his own music company called Marsalis Music. This company releases albums by many artists, including members of his own family.
Branford also became involved in teaching music at colleges. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he worked with Harry Connick, Jr. to create Musicians Village in New Orleans. This village helps musicians who lost their homes, and it has a music center named after his father.
Classical and Broadway Music: 2008–2010
In 2008, Branford toured the United States. He played Brazilian music with an orchestra, celebrating the composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.
In 2009, Branford and his quartet played with the North Carolina Symphony. They released an album called American Spectrum. It featured American music by different composers.
Branford also wrote music for a Broadway play called Fences in 2010.
In July 2010, Branford played with the New York Philharmonic orchestra. He performed saxophone concertos by composers like Alexander Glazunov.
Recent Years: 2011–Present
In 2011, Branford and pianist Joey Calderazzo released their first album together, Songs of Mirth and Melancholy.
In 2012, the Branford Marsalis Quartet released Four MFs Playin' Tunes. This was the first album with their new drummer, Justin Faulkner. The album was named the Best Instrumental Jazz Album of the Year by Apple iTunes.
Branford performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Democratic National Convention in 2012.
In 2019, his quartet released The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul. Branford explained that staying together as a band allows them to play complex and exciting music.
Personal Life
Branford Marsalis lives in Durham, North Carolina. He lives with his wife, Nicole, and their two daughters. He also enjoys playing golf.
Awards and Honors
Branford Marsalis has received many awards for his music:
- The Branford Marsalis Quartet won a Grammy Award in 2001 for their album Contemporary Jazz.
- In 2006, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
- He won a Drama Desk Award in 2010 for his music in the Broadway play Fences. He was also nominated for a Tony Award.
- In 2011, Branford, his father, and his brothers received the NEA Jazz Masters Award. This is a very high honor for jazz musicians.
- He has received several other honorary degrees from universities, including University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012) and Duke University (2023).
- In 2012, he received the S. Roger Horchow Award for Greatest Public Service. This was for his work with Harry Connick, Jr. on the Musicians' Village in New Orleans.
Filmography
Branford Marsalis has appeared in or composed music for several films and TV shows:
- Throw Momma From the Train (1987)
- School Daze (1988)
- Living Single Season 2 (1994–95)
- Mr. and Mrs. Loving (1996; composer)
- Eve's Bayou (1997)
- Branford Marsalis - The Sound Illusionist (2016)
In Spanish: Branford Marsalis para niños
