Branford Marsalis to be Artist-in-Residence

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2000 -- Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis has been named as an artist-in-residence in the Music Department at San Francisco State University, beginning in the Fall 2000 semester. In his new position, Marsalis will work with SFSU students for extended periods several times during each semester. Saxophonist and music educator Andrew Speight, the present director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, has also joined the faculty in the SFSU Department of Music.

“It is an extraordinary opportunity to appoint Branford Marsalis, one of the great musicians of the world, to join our Music Department" said Keith Morrison, dean of the SFSU College of Creative Arts. “His work with Andrew Speight at Michigan State University pioneered new ideas in the teaching of jazz and contemporary music. We are fortunate to have had the great John Handy also as artist-in-residence since 1998, creating the annual 'John Handy Jazz Festival' in his honor. Marsalis, Handy and Speight, along with jazz faculty Dee Spencer and Hafez Modirzadeh, represent a formidable jazz faculty, and perhaps elevates San Francisco State's Music Department to preeminence as the major jazz education program on the West Coast."

One of the most recognized musicians in jazz today, Branford Marsalis' recordings range from the traditional jam session Trio Jeepy to the hip-hop informed Buckshot LeFonque. As a recording artist, Marsalis has recorded more than eleven jazz albums, one classical, and two Buckshot LeFonque pop releases for Sony Music. In 1984, he released Scenes in the City, his first album for Columbia Jazz, beginning a thriving jazz career. Steve Graybow of Billboard magazine included Marsalis' most recent album, Requiem, in his top ten of 1999 and writes “if there is a jazz album of the year, this is it." Sony will release his next jazz quartet album in August 2000 and his next classical album in Spring 2001. Branford is the eldest son of the famed musical family that includes his brothers Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason, and the family patriarch, pianist/music educator Ellis Marsalis.

A native of Australia, Andrew Speight has attracted international critical acclaim, with many prominent jazz names predicting his ascension. Speight has been praised for his expressive and emotive playing as well as his technical proficiency. In addition to performing and recording with his own quartet (with John Harkins, piano; David Rosin, bass; and Andrew Dickeson, drums), Speight has also worked with many jazz giants, including Branford Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, Benny Carter and Wynton Marsalis. He has been director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University since 1995, leading the program to national stature.

The SFSU Jazz and World Music program features a dynamic curriculum led by a faculty of renowned Bay Area jazz and world music artists. In addition to pianist Dee Spencer and saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh, the SFSU Jazz faculty features numerous notable lecturers, including percussionist Eddie Marshall; bassist David Motto; trombonist Wayne Wallace; and guitarist John L. Worley, Jr.

In 1999 the SFSU Jazz program presented the first annual John Handy Jazz Festival, honoring the legendary and SFSU alumnus and lecturer John Handy. The Jazz Program offers a bachelor of arts in a range of instrumental and vocal performance styles, including blues/R&B, gospel, swing, bebop, modal/free, fusion, as well as Afro-Cuban, Balinese Gamelan, and Creative World Ensemble.

The Jazz Program is part of the acclaimed Department of Music at San Francisco State University. The department offers both professional and liberal arts degree programs in music, with a faculty that includes internationally recognized performers, composers, music educators, and scholars. Each year the department presents many individual and ensemble performances, including Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, University Symphony, Concert Choir and University Chorus. The Department also participates in opera and musical-comedy productions in the College of Creative Arts and sponsors many small, specialized ensembles such as Chamber Music, Collegium Musicum, Jazz Combos, and ensembles for woodwinds, brass and percussion.

Branford Marsalis joins a distinguished group of artists-in-residence at the Department of Music at SFSU, including pianist and department chair Patricia Taylor Lee; saxophonist John Handy; the Alexander String Quartet; award-winning composers Ronald Caltabiano, Richard Festinger, Carlos Sanchez Guttierez, and Wayne Peterson; and new music ensemble EARPLAY. The SFSU Department of Music is home to the Morrison Chamber Music Center, which includes an instructional program and the annual Morrison Artists Series of six concerts by international chamber music ensembles.

For more information:
SFSU Music Department, 415/338-1431
Dee Spencer, SFSU Jazz, 415/338-2613
Sherry McAdam, Branford Marsalis Management, 617/354-2736