Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis is an American jazz saxophonist from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Born in 1960, he studies music in Louisiana and at Berklee School of Music, and begins his professional career in the early 1980s. He plays tenor and soprano saxophone, and is also known for baritone saxophone.

Early career

In the early 1980s, Marsalis plays with Art Blakey’s big band, Clark Terry’s band and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. From 1982 to 1985 he performs with his brother Wynton Marsalis’s group, before joining Sting’s backing band. He appears at Live Aid in 1985 as Sting’s only accompaniment before Phil Collins joins. He also tours with Miles Davis in one of Davis’s last bands.

Own groups and later work

Marsalis forms his own group in 1986. From 1992 to 1995 he serves as musical director of the Tonight Show Band. He later forms Buckshot LeFonque, a project that combines jazz with rhythm and blues, hip hop and rock. He is also creator of the record label Marsalis Music.

Associations and family

Throughout the early 1990s, Marsalis makes a series of guest appearances with the Grateful Dead, which are among the band’s best-known performances. He is the oldest of six Marsalis brothers, four of whom are jazz musicians, like their father Ellis Marsalis. He is a Life Scout, and his brother Wynton is an Eagle Scout.