Results for "Branford Marsalis"

Branford Marsalis

Growing up in the rich environment of New Orleans as the oldest son of pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis, Branford was drawn to music along with siblings Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason. His first instrument, the clarinet, gave way to the alto and then the tenor and soprano saxophones when the teenage Branford began working in local bands. A growing fascination with jazz as he entered college gave him the basic tools to obtain his first major jobs, with trumpet legend Clark Terry and alongside Wynton in Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers. When the brothers left to form the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, the world of uncompromising acoustic jazz was invigorated

Art Blakey and the Young Lions - The Marsalis Bros., Donald Harrison Jr, Bobby Watson (1981 - 1991)

By RUSSELL PERRY

As the 1970s came to a close, many musicians searching for alternatives to jazz-rock fusion or free jazz found a home in straight-ahead acoustic jazz. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, whose Blue Note contract was not renewed in 1964, had spent a decade in relative obscurity, when he came roaring back with a series of ...

A Jazz Immuno-Booster: Part 5

By LUDOVICO GRANVASSU

Back to popular demand! Here's some more musical therapy for these trying times, the fifth installment of this popular mix-tape series, featuring selections by Tim Berne, Theo Bleckmann, Stefano Bollani, Tommaso Cappellato, Taylor Ho Bynum, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Mats Gustaffson, Maya Keren, Brad Mehldau, Aaron Parks, Rosa Brunello and Ben Wendel. Happy listening! Stay safe ...

Spodie's Back

By JIM TRAGESER

Still a teenager when signed to Quincy Jones' Warner Bros. subsidiary, Qwest, trumpeter Derrick Shezbie was nonetheless a veteran on this debut as leader--having been playing in the traditionalist Rebirth Brass Band for several years already. Produced by fellow Crescent City native Delfeayo Marsalis, “Spodie's Back" is a much more modernistic outing than anything ...

Goodbye, Ellis Marsalis, Jazz Father

By DOUGLAS GROOTHUIS

The COVID-19 Reaper has claimed another senior statesman of pianist and educator, Ellis Marsalis, who left us on April 1. He was 85 and died in his home city of jny: New Orleans, which has recently ignited as a hot spot for the menace virus. We will likely lose many senior jazz performers in the coming ...

George Garzone: Sax In The City

By JIM WORSLEY

George Garzone is not the mayor of the city of Boston. If he was appointed to a position it would more likely be king. He is, at the very least, the toast of the town. This isn't news. King George has reigned with a firm grasp of his mighty tenor saxophone for close to half a ...

Omer Avital/Qantar: New York Paradox

By FIONA ORD-SHRIMPTON

The world in its collective viral neurosis is in a cold sweat. What to do? Store shelves are empty, hands have never been cleaner, and if all goes wrong, salaries may soon rise for those who will work. In these trying times, some days you simply must “Avital"—Omer Avital understands this. Thanks to his latest album, ...

The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul

By BRANFORD MARSALIS

Label: Okeh
Released: 2019
Track listing: Dance of the Evil Toys; Conversation Among the Ruins; Snake Hip Waltz; Cianna; Nilaste; Life Filtering from the Water Flowers; The Windup.

Branford Marsalis at The Ohio Theatre

By MATT HOOKE

Branford Marsalis Quartet Ohio Theatre Cleveland, Ohio October 10, 2019Branford Marsalis is a jazz chameleon. Few saxophonists could go from playing his brother Wynton's straight-ahead outfit to pursing cross over opportunities with pop-star Sting and hip-hop legend Guru to now making music with Gabriel Prokofiev, the great-grandson of ...

Listeners' Recent Faves

By MARC COHN

Listeners' favorites this week from shows 381 to 390! Lots of 'pop' covers tickled your fancy this time around, along with a trip to jny: New Orleans and the usual dose of grits & gravy. Enjoy the show. And, no, we haven't abandoned Blue Note 50th anniversary salutes (yet:); they will be featured next week. Thanks ...