Jazz Articles about Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis Quartet: Footsteps of Our Fathers

by Mark F. Turner
September 9, 2002

A slightly different perspective on Branford's new stellar work.

No introduction is needed for one of the strongest saxophonists of our time. Branford Marsalis has started his own recording company entitled Marsalis Music with the release of Footsteps of Our Fathers, with compositions selected by jazz greats Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

The music effectively honors and celebrates some of Jazz’s true patriarchs.

Jazz music has always articulated a message throughout ...

The Branford Marsalis Quartet: Footsteps of Our Fathers

by Dan McClenaghan
August 7, 2002

Footsteps of Our Fathers is the first great Branford Marsalis album since 96's The Dark Keys. Credit the label change; Mr. Marsalis has started his own record company, Marsalis Music. The results are stunning. His last few efforts on the major label were a bit thin. Sounded great on initial listenings, but they seemed somehow diluted, washed out. Fodder--ultimately, sadly--for the used CD bin. Perhaps it's the freedom afforded by owning the record company, and finally having the wherewithal to ...

Branford & Ellis Marsalis: The Dawn of Marsalis Music

by Mark Corroto
May 1, 2002

The first family of jazz, the Marsalis of New Orleans, have seemingly been in the eye of a musical hurricane for the past twenty years. With the news that Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and his father Ellis Marsalis had severed their ties with Sony music, comes the announcement that they have formed the independent label Marsalis Music. Multiple-Grammy winner Branford Marsalis has recently recorded Footsteps Of Our Fathers, a tribute to John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, and the ...

Branford Marsalis: Contemporary Jazz

by Mark Corroto
November 1, 2000

Although the penultimate release from Branford Marsalis was entitled Requiem, this outing for sure embodies a fitting tribute to Kenny Kirkland. The pianist died mid-recording of Branford’s last disc, shocking the young saxophonist and causing him to find a new rhythm section leader. Well actually Tain Watts is the center of any rhythm scene wherever he plays. Calderazzo fills the Kirkland role in a sort of meddling way. While and accomplished pianist on his own, Calderazzo doesn’t fit nicely into ...

Branford Marsalis: Contemporary Jazz

by Mark Corroto
November 1, 2000

Although the penultimate release from Branford Marsalis was entitled Requiem, this outing for sure embodies a fitting tribute to Kenny Kirkland. The pianist died mid-recording of Branford’s last disc, shocking the young saxophonist and causing him to find a new rhythm section leader. Well actually Tain Watts is the center of any rhythm scene wherever he plays. Calderazzo fills the Kirkland role in a sort of meddling way. While and accomplished pianist on his own, Calderazzo doesn’t fit nicely into ...

Branford Marsalis: Requiem

by Ian Nicolson
May 1, 1999

For ten years or so, since Crazy People Music back in 1990, Branford Marsalis has steered well clear of the definitive in Jazz. He's played sax with Sting, Tina Turner, and Gangstarr, led Jay Leno's Tonight Show band, toured with Dizzy, made movies with Danny De Vito, recorded Blues-based albums starring B B King and Lightnin' Hopkins, hosted an illuminating and influential National Public Radio Jazz programme in the US, even subbed for David Murray in the World Saxophone Quartet. ...

Branford Marsalis: Requiem

by Bob Margolis
April 1, 1999

Telepathy. Elasticity. Forward looking. Branford Marsalis's new release, “Requiem" makes us glad Steepy brought back the quartet form to his music and makes us even more profoundly sad about the tragic passing of pianist Kenny Kirkland. Although the original plan was to get used to the material, hone it on the road and come back to the studio and re-record, this record shows a band as tight as any unit in the business and shows a great leap forward in ...