Branford Marsalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Branford Marsalis
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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 |
| Labels |
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Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960) is a famous American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He is best known for his amazing work in jazz music. He leads his own group, the Branford Marsalis Quartet. He also plays as a solo artist with classical music groups. From 1992 to 1995, he led The Tonight Show Band.
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Early Life and Musical Family
Branford Marsalis was born in New Orleans on August 26, 1960. His mother, Dolores, was a jazz singer. His father, Ellis Marsalis, Jr., was a pianist and music professor. Music runs in his family! His brothers, Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Delfeayo Marsalis, are also talented jazz musicians.
His Musical Journey
Starting Out: 1980–1985
Branford Marsalis finished high school in 1978. He played in an R&B band called The Creators back then. He later studied music at Southern University. His teacher, Alvin Batiste, encouraged him to go to Berklee College of Music.
While at Berklee, Branford toured Europe. He played alto and tenor saxophone with drummer Art Blakey. He also played with other big bands like Lionel Hampton's. By 1981, he joined his brother Wynton in Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He then joined his brother Wynton's first quintet. Branford started focusing on soprano and tenor saxophones. He released his first album, Scenes in the City, in 1984. He also played with jazz legends like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.
Growing Fame: 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 in Sting's band for many years.
In 1986, Branford formed the Branford Marsalis Quartet. The band included pianist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, and bassist Robert Hurst. They released their first album, Royal Garden Blues, that year. Their album I Heard You Twice the First Time (1992) won a Grammy Award.
Branford also appeared in movies. He was in the Spike Lee 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.
From 1990 to 1994, Branford played with the Grateful Dead many times. 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 the show.
In 1994, Branford started a new group called Buckshot LeFonque. This group mixed jazz with rock and hip-hop. Their first album, Buckshot LeFonque, was released that year.
Branford left The Tonight Show in 1995. He felt the job was not a good fit for him. He was replaced by guitarist Kevin Eubanks.
New Directions: 1995–2007
In 1997, Eric Revis became the new bassist for the Branford Marsalis Quartet. After Kenny Kirkland passed away, Joey Calderazzo joined as the pianist. The quartet has continued to tour and record music.
In 2002, Branford started his own music label, Marsalis Music. This label has released albums by many artists.
Branford also became involved in teaching music at universities. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he and Harry Connick, Jr. helped create Musicians Village in New Orleans. This project helped musicians rebuild their homes. The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music is a key part of this village.
Classical and Broadway: 2008–2010
In 2008, Branford toured the United States. He performed classical music by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. He played solo saxophone with an orchestra.
In 2009, Branford and his quartet played with the North Carolina Symphony. They released an album called American Spectrum. It featured American music by various composers.
Branford wrote the music for the 2010 Broadway play Fences.
In July 2010, Branford played with the New York Philharmonic orchestra. He performed pieces by Glazunov and Schulhoff.
Recent Years: 2011–Present
In June 2011, Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo released their first album as a duo. It was called 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 Apple iTunes Best Instrumental Jazz Album of the Year.
Branford performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Democratic National Convention in 2012.
In 2019, Marsalis released The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul. He recorded it with his quartet in Australia. He believes staying together helps them play complex and adventurous music.
Personal Life
Branford Marsalis lived in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife Nicole and their two daughters. In 2024, he moved back to New Orleans. He now leads the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music. He was raised Catholic.
Awards and Honors
- 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 and his father and brothers received the NEA Jazz Masters Award. This is a very high honor in jazz.
- He received honorary degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 and Duke University in 2023.
- In 2012, he and Harry Connick, Jr. received an award for their work on the Musicians' Village in New Orleans.
Instruments He Plays
Branford Marsalis plays several types of saxophones:
- Soprano Saxophone: He uses a silver Selmer Mark VI and a Yamaha YSS-82ZR.
- Alto Saxophone: He plays a Cannonball Vintage Series.
- Tenor Saxophone: He uses a Selmer Super Balanced Action.
Other Appearances
Branford Marsalis has appeared in many different projects:
- He performed at the Live Aid concert in London in 1985 with Sting and Phil Collins.
- He played saxophone on the song "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy in 1989.
- He was a guest on the radio show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!.
- He was interviewed on the TV show Space Ghost Coast to Coast in 1994.
- He played a solo on Shanice's 1992 hit song "I Love Your Smile".
- He acted in the movies Throw Momma From the Train (1987) and School Daze (1988).
- He made guest appearances on the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1994.
- He was featured in the documentary Before the Music Dies (2006).
- He was a guest judge on Top Chef in New Orleans.
- He has played with the Dead (members of the Grateful Dead) several times, including in 2009 and 2018.
- He has also performed with the Dave Matthews Band on multiple occasions.
Albums as a Leader
- Scenes in the City (1984)
- Royal Garden Blues (1986)
- Renaissance (1987)
- Random Abstract (1988)
- Trio Jeepy (1989)
- Crazy People Music (1990)
- Mo' Better Blues (1990)
- The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born (1991)
- Sneakers (1992)
- I Heard You Twice the First Time (1992)
- Bloomington (1993)
- Buckshot LeFonque (1994)
- Loved Ones (1996)
- The Dark Keys (1996)
- Music Evolution (1997)
- Requiem (1999)
- Contemporary Jazz (2000)
- Creation (2001)
- Footsteps of Our Fathers (2002)
- Romare Bearden Revealed (2003)
- Eternal (2004)
- Braggtown (2006)
- Metamorphosen (2008)
- American Spectrum (2009)
- Songs of Mirth and Melancholy (2011)
- Four MFs Playin' Tunes (2012)
- In My Solitude: Live at Grace Cathedral (2014)
- Upward Spiral (2016)
- The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul (2019)
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
- Belonging (2025)
Filmography
- 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)
See also
In Spanish: Branford Marsalis para niños
- Marsalis Jams
