The oldest of the four musical
Marsalis brothers,
Branford Marsalis has had an impressive
career. After studying at Southern University and Berklee,
Branford Marsalis toured Europe with the
Art Blakey big band in the summer of 1980 (playing
baritone), played three months with
Clark Terry, and then spent five months playing alto
with
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1981). He mostly played
tenor and soprano while with
Wynton Marsalis' influential group (1982-1985), at first
sounding most influenced by
Wayne Shorter but leaning more toward
John Coltrane at the end. The musical telepathy between
the two brothers (who helped to revive the sound of the
mid-'60s
Miles Davis Quintet) was sometimes astounding.
Branford Marsalis toured with
Herbie Hancock's V.S.O.P. II. in 1983 and recorded with
Miles Davis (1984's Decoy). In 1985, when he left
Wynton to join
Sting's pop/rock group, it caused a major (if temporary)
rift with his brother that made headlines.
Branford Marsalis enjoyed playing with
Sting but did not let the association cause him to
forget his musical priorities. By 1986, he was leading his
own group which eventually consisted of pianist
Kenny Kirkland, bassist
Bob Hurst, and drummer
Jeff "Tain" Watts; sometimes the band was a piano-less
trio that really allowed
Branford Marsalis to stretch out. After a couple of film
appearances (in School Daze and Throw Mama From the Train),
Branford Marsalis became even more of a celebrity when
he joined
Jay Leno's Tonight Show as the musical director in 1992.
However, being cast in the role of
Leno's sidekick rubbed against
Marsalis' temperament and after two years he had had
enough.
Branford Marsalis, who attempted to mix together hip-hop
and jazz in his erratic
Buckshot LeFonque project, has recorded steadily for
Columbia ever since 1983 (including a classical set). ~
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Contact Grabow for more information or
to book
Branford Marsalis for your next corporate or private event.
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