Branford Marsalis (August 26, 1960, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana) is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque. His brothers Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Delfeayo Marsalis, and father Ellis Marsalis, Jr. are also jazz musicians.
In the summe...
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Branford Marsalis (August 26, 1960, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana) is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque. His brothers Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Delfeayo Marsalis, and father Ellis Marsalis, Jr. are also jazz musicians.
In the summer of 1980, while still a Berklee College of Music student, Marsalis toured Europe playing alto and baritone saxophone in a large ensemble led by drummer Art Blakey. Other big band experience with Lionel Hampton and Clark Terry followed over the next year, and by the end of 1981 Marsalis, on alto saxophone, had joined his brother Wynton in Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Other performances with his brother, including a 1981 Japanese tour with Herbie Hancock, led to the formation of his brother Wynton’s first quintet, where Marsalis shifted his...
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