Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960) is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He is best known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Marsalis has made a big impact in the world of music with his talented playing and composing.

In addition to his jazz work, Marsalis also performs with classical music groups as a soloist. He has also led another group called Buckshot LeFonque, showing his versatility in different kinds of music.

From 1992 to 1995, Marsalis was in charge of leading The Tonight Show Band, bringing his unique jazz style to a wider audience. His contributions to music continue to inspire many musicians and fans around the world.

Early life

Branford Marsalis was born on August 26, 1960, in New Orleans. His mother, Dolores, was a jazz singer and substitute teacher, and his father, Ellis Louis Marsalis, Jr., was a pianist and music professor. He has three brothers who are also jazz musicians: Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Delfeayo Marsalis.

Career

Branford Marsalis began playing music in high school with a band called The Creators. He studied at Southern University and later Berklee College of Music. During his time there, he toured Europe with drummer Art Blakey and worked with other famous musicians like Lionel Hampton and Clark Terry.

In 1985, Marsalis joined singer Sting for his first solo project. He later formed the Branford Marsalis Quartet, which released several albums and won a Grammy Award. Marsalis also acted in a film and worked with different bands, including The Tonight Show Band and Buckshot LeFonque. He has taught at universities and helped create a music village in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Marsalis continues to perform and record music today, most recently being nominated for a Grammy Award.

Personal life

Branford Marsalis lived in Durham, North Carolina with his wife Nicole and their two daughters. In 2024, he moved to New Orleans to lead the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music. He grew up in the Catholic faith.

Awards and honors

Branford Marsalis and his band, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, won a Grammy Award in 2001 for their album Contemporary Jazz. He has won two more Grammys over his career.

He has received many special honors from universities and awards groups. In 2006, he was given an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music. In 2010, he won a Drama Desk Award for music in a play and was nominated for a Tony Award for his work on the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Fences.

In 2011, Marsalis and his family received the NEA Jazz Masters Award. He also received honorary degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in 2013. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Duke University.

Instruments and setup

Branford Marsalis plays different types of saxophones. For the soprano saxophone, he uses a special silver Selmer Mark VI and a Yamaha YSS-82ZR, along with specific mouthpieces and Vandoren V12 Clarinet reeds. For the alto saxophone, he uses a Cannonball Vintage Series with another type of mouthpiece and Vandoren reeds. For the tenor saxophone, he uses a Selmer Super Balanced Action with yet another mouthpiece and Alexander reeds.

Other appearances

Branford Marsalis has performed with many famous musicians and in different places. In 1985, he played with Sting and Phil Collins at a big concert called Live Aid in London. He also played the saxophone on a song called "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy in 1989.

He made a band called X-Men to perform with the Grateful Dead in 1990. Marsalis acted in movies like Throw Momma from the Train and School Daze, and appeared on TV shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He was also a guest on a music competition show called Top Chef.

Marsalis has played with many bands over the years, including the Dead, Dave Matthews Band, and Furthur. He performed at many music festivals and special events, sharing the stage with talented musicians like Bob Weir and Bruce Hornsby.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

Here are some of the albums led by Branford Marsalis:

• Fathers & Sons with Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Chico Freeman, Von Freeman (Columbia, 1982)
• Scenes in the City (Columbia, 1984)
• Romances for Saxophone (CBS Masterworks, 1986)
• Royal Garden Blues (CBS, 1986)
• Renaissance (Columbia, 1987)
• Random Abstract (CBS/Sony, 1988)
• Trio Jeepy (CBS, 1989)
• Crazy People Music (Sony, 1990)
• Mo' Better Blues (Columbia, 1990)
• The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born (Sony, 1991)
• Herve Sellin Sextet/Brandford Marsalis (Columbia, 1991)
• Sneakers (Columbia, 1992)
• I Heard You Twice the First Time (Columbia, 1992)
• David and Goliath (Rabbit Ears, 1992)
• Bloomington (Columbia, 1993)
• Buckshot LeFonque, Buckshot LeFonque (Sony, 1994)
• Loved Ones with Ellis Marsalis (Columbia, 1996)
• The Dark Keys (Sony Music, 1996)
• Buckshot LeFonque, Music Evolution (Sony, 1997)
• Requiem (Sony, 1999)
• Contemporary Jazz (Sony, 2000)
• Creation with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (Sony Classical, 2001)
• Footsteps of Our Fathers (Marsalis Music, 2002)
• Romare Bearden Revealed (Marsalis Music, 2003)
• Eternal (Marsalis Music, 2004)
• Braggtown (Marsalis Music, 2006)
• Metamorphosen with Branford Marsalis Quartet (Marsalis Music, 2008)
• American Spectrum (BIS, 2009)
• Songs of Mirth and Melancholy with Joey Calderazzo (Marsalis Music, 2011)
• Four MFs Playin' Tunes with Branford Marsalis Quartet (Marsalis Music, 2012)
• In My Solitude: Live at Grace Cathedral (Marsalis Music, 2014)
• Upward Spiral with Kurt Elling and Branford Marsalis Quartet (Marsalis Music, 2016)
• The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul with Branford Marsalis Quartet (Marsalis Music, 2019)
• Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Milan, 2020)
• Belonging with Branford Marsalis Quartet (Blue Note, 2025)

As sideman or guest

Filmography

Branford Marsalis has appeared in several films and television shows. Some of his notable appearances include:

• Bring on the Night (himself) in 1985
• Throw Momma From the Train as Lester in 1987
• School Daze as Jordan in 1988
• Living Single (himself) during Season 2 from 1994 to 1995
• Mr. and Mrs. Loving as a composer in 1996
• Eve's Bayou as Harry Delacroix in 1997
• Branford Marsalis - The Sound Illusionist in 2016