Branford Marsalis  11/30/1990
 Royce Hall UCLA, Orchestra, Row 31, Seat 12, 14

Branford Marsalis has been a key figure in the jazz community for over a decade. His abilities range from producing rock music with Sting to progressive jazz in his solo albums. A Grammy Award winner, three-time Grammy nominee, current musical director for "The Tonight Show," and a Creative Consultant for Columbia Records, Branford Marsalis has traveled the world, becoming a true leader of the jazz movement.

Branford Marsalis was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 26, 1960, the oldest of six sons. At age four he was already interested in pursuing a musical future as began experimenting with the piano. He moved on to the clarinet after two or three years because he desired to play an instrument that would allow him to participate in his school band. At 15, he picked up an alto saxophone after declaring he "didn't want to play tenor." During this time he was greatly influenced by the work of Florence Bowser, who acted as his instructor for three weeks. According to Branford, Ms. Bowser helped him realize "how much of a contribution jazz music and jazz musicians have made to the world. That's when I decided I wanted to be a jazz musician." At this time, Branford was offered the chance to play in his first-ever jazz band when his younger brother Wynton found an opening in his band for Branford. "When Wynton was 15 and said, I want you in my band there wasn't one second's hesitation. I wanted to play in Wynton's band because I knew it was going to be the best band around."

Branford attended an integrated junior high and high school and following his stint in an integrated school system, Branford chose to attend a predominantly black college, Southern University. At Southern University, he met up with clarinetist Alvin Batiste. Frustrated with the lack of musical guidance he was receiving at the university (and with the constant urging of Alvin, who claimed that Branford had more ability than the university was letting him demonstrate) Branford left Southern University and went on to Berklee School of Music in Boston. He stayed at Berklee through January of 1981. In the summer of 1980, Branford got his first big break as he had the opportunity to tour Europe as a baritone saxophonist with Art Blakey. He went on that winter to play with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra.

1981 was a big year for Branford. He returned to Berklee and continued studying the brilliance of his musical predecessors, Ben Webster, Lester Young, Sonny Rollins and Wayne Shorter. He also secured a long-term job with the Clark Terry Band, recorded "Father and Sons" for Columbia, and began a new job with 'Bu' Blakey. It was during this time in his life that Branford settled on the tenor saxophone as his primary instrument although he continues playing a variety of instruments to this day. "[The tenor saxophone] is the closest instrument to the human voice, in terms of depth and emotionally moving a person, the blackest of all instruments." Towards the end of 1981, Branford decided to join Wynton on tour in Japan with the Herbie Hancock Quartet. Together the group recorded part of Wynton's debut at CBS/Sony Studies in Tokyo. From 1981 to 1983, Branford continued on with Wynton for another world-wide tour and celebrated the release of Wynton's, "Think Of One" album, in which Branford, Kirkland and Watts perform. Additionally, Branford's debut album, "Scenes in the City" was released in April of 1984. Of great historical significance, this album was the first jazz production by the famous classical producer Thomas Mowrey. Also, the title track was composed and recorded by Charles Mingus, a great inspirational performer to Branford, 20 years earlier.

In 1985, Branford has the good fortune to be introduced to Sting, who, at the time, was looking to put together a new band to record and tour with him. Together with Kenny Kirkland, Daryl Jones and Omar Hakim, the group was formed. In March of that year, the group began recording "Sting's Dream of the Blue Turtles" which took place in the West Indies. In May the group traveled to France to film a documentary on the group's evolution, "Bring on the Night."

With one eye always on recording, Branford took a temporary leave of absence from the group to go to London and finish his first classical recording for CBS Masterworks. (Sting's world tour began in August of 1985, at which time Branford returned to perform with the group.) "Romances for Saxophone" was released in April, 1986 and was an instant hit. It was digitally recorded with producer Mowrey and stayed on the Billboard Top 5 for over 2 months. Following this big hit, Branford began an extensive tour of the United States and Europe with Herbie Hancock's group in the summer of 1986, a tour that opened at the exclusive Playboy Jazz Festival in June, then moved on to Europe in July and finally to Japan in August. This sensational world tour led to an increased demand for Branford's work, resulting in his release of "Bring on the Night" which captured the Blue Turtle Band at its best. The release was limited to the United Kingdom, but the songs were heard throughout Europe.

1987 started off on great footing for Branford, as he hosted the first new program of the year in VH-1s "New Visions" series. While captivating the younger audience with his masterful skills, Branford continued on with his career: a principle role in Spike Lee's feature film, "School Daze." Following the shooting, Branford rejoined former bandmate Kirkland and formed a new group in Montserrat, where they began recording a second album to follow "Dream of the Blue Turtles."

By the middle of 1987, Branford took off for Europe with his new group (comprised of Kirkland, bassist Delbert Felix, and drummer Lewis Nash). Success seemed to follow Branford wherever he went, as he quickly landed on two covers of Swing Journal Magazine in Japan. At this time, Sony prepared to release a new piece by Branford, "Father and Son," a piece designed for a Suntory ad campaign. Sales of this song were so incredible that Sony decided to capitalize on Branfords immense popularity by issuing an album entitled "Branford Marsalis Selections." This album was comprised of songs off his first two jazz albums and the greatly successful Suntory theme song from the recent ad campaign.

Riding on the wave of his recent successes, Branford released a Renaissance album in September, 1987. The next month, Branford appeared on Saturday Night Live to promote his new album, "Nothing Like the Sun." At this time he was also featured in a promotional video for Sting's "Englishman In New York." The following January, Branford rejoined Sting and together they toured the United States and Europe. This tour was perhaps Branford's largest, as it featured the "Freedomfest" concert for Nelson Mandela. This concert was broadcast world-wide on January 11 from Wembley Stadium in London. The European stint of the tour lasted through July and was immediately followed by an Amnesty International Tour and HBO Special lasting through the rest of the year. In the midst of all the traveling, Branford celebrated his second Grammy Awards nomination for "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist" for "Cottontail." Also, in June of 1988, Branford released "Random Abstract," produced by Delfeayo with his old friends Kirkland, Felix and Nash. (Click to hear "Yes and No," from "Random Abstract") 1988 ended for Branford with his recording Bill Lee's motion picture score for Spike Lee's movie, "Do the Right Thing," a performance on "The Late Show" with David Letterman, and appearances on Arsenio Hall, CNN, USA Today, and "CBS Morning News." (Click to hear "Mookie," from "Do the Right Thing")

1989 began for Branford as he performed in a benefit concert for the United Way of Jamaica's hurricane relief fund in Kingston. As famous as Branford became, he never stopped giving back to the community in any and every way possible. He was rewarded for all of his hard work during the past year when we was nominated for "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist and Group categories" for his work on "Random Abstract."

As his success continued to grow, Branford continued to acknowledge the importance of his fellow musicians, both for what they offered Branford and for what they contributioned to the music industry in general. As a tribute to one of his favorite performers, Sonny Rollins, Branford produced another album, "Trio Jeepy" in June of 1989, with a vintage song of Rollins, "Doxy." As a publicity stunt, the album's release was accompanied by the opening of a 6-month United States tour of the Branford-Kirkland-Hurst-Watts quartet. Following the conclusion of the tour, the quartet stopped briefly in New York City for a performance on the "Today" Show. Coming off a whirlwind tour of the United States, Branford returned to California in October of 1989 where he conducted a series of clinics and master classes at El Camino College and San Diego Junior High. In addition, he headlined a NOCCA benefit in New Orleans - although he returned to California the following afternoon. During this time, he was featured on the cover of Down Beat Magazine and performed on "Good Morning America."

Branford next returned home in February of 1990 to play the National Anthem at the NBA All-Star Game, followed immediately by a performance in Los Angeles with Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock and Don Henely the next day to benefit the Rain Forest Foundation. Also, during Black History Month, Branford had the honor of hosting, narrating and presenting a series by the National Public Radio, an oral history entitled, "Bass Lines: The Reflections of Milt Hinton." As reward for his previous months of non-stop performing, Branford was nominated towards the end of February for another Grammy for his work on "Trio Jeep."

By mid 1990, Branford was a highly sought-after musician. Australian movie director, Fred Schepsi brought Branford to Australia to perform with his saxophone alongside Sean Connery in a screen version of "The Russia House." Desiring to get back into the touring mode of performing, Branford set off in the summer of 1990 for a 10-country tour, including stops in Italy, Scotland, Turkey, France, Germany, Holland, Finland, Austria, Spain and England. He returned to the United States in time to promote the release of two new albums containing great hits such as "Mr. Steepee," "Diddle-It," "The Battle of Chet Kincaid," "Rose Petals," "Spartacus," and "Wolverine." Following the albums' release, Branford wrapped up another successful year by performing at a New Years Eve concert in San Francisco alongside performances by the Grateful Dead. This performance marked the first of many times that Branford performed along the legendary group, as he played with them on numerous unannounced occasions.

1991 began with a bang for Branford as he was again asked to perform the National Anthem at the NBA All-Star Game. Additionally, the Grammy ceremonies presented Branford with added excitement: a nomination for "Best Jazz Instrumental, Soloist" for "Crazy People Music" and a second nomination for "Best Jazz Instrumental, Group" for "Again Never." His success was marred slightly by a controversial performance on "Yo! MTV Raps" alongside Gangstarr while judging the 3rd Annual Billboard Song Contest. However, he rebounded well as he wrote the music for a television pilot, "John Salley and Friends," and a television ad campaign for Levis. Additionally, Branford participated in "Story of the People: Expressions in Black," a television documentary. 1991 concluded with Branford's release of "The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born" which featured the trio of Branford, Hurst, and Watts, together for the first time since the release of "Trio Jeep." The album was a true result of Branford's musical passion and was dedicated to the memory of Stan Getz who died earlier that year. (Click to hear "Gilligan's Isle," from "The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born")

One of Branford's largest musical opportunities came in March of 1992 when NBC Television offered him the position of musical director and arranger on the "Tonight Show." Before beginning this new job, Branford completed the remaining dates of his pre-arranged North American Tour. During this time, "The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born" celebrated its sixth month on the Billboards Top Jazz Album Chart, including ten weeks in the Top 5. April of 1992 marked Branford's final major performance at a private club, as he sold-out six consecutive nights at New York's Village Vanguard in anticipation of his premiere performance on "The Tonight Show," on May 25, 1992. Perhaps the greatest single night of his career, The Branford Marsalis "Tonight Show" Band featured Branford on the saxophone, his old friend Kirkland, Hurst, and Watts in the rhythm section, guitarist Kevin Eubanks, trombonist Matt Finders, Sal Marquez on the trumpet and Vicki Randle in the percussion section.

Towards the middle of 1992, Branford released a series of new albums, many coming in the wake of his tremendous success on "The Tonight Show." These releases included "The Music Tells You" and "I Heard You Twice the First Time." "I Heard You Twice the First Time" was a blues album produced by Delfeayo with the ever-present trio of Kirkland, Hurst and Watts. Additionally, the album featured the brilliance of B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Wynton Marsalis, Wes Anderson, and Russell Malone. The album also featured liner notes by Delfeayo and a compendium of blues quotations. Following the release of these albums, Branford was asked to be the featured soloist on "Sneakers" album, a Universal Pictures film starring Robert Redford. 1992 concluded for Branford when he co-hosted "The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy In Song." It was a fitting role for Branford as the CBS Special celebrated fifty years of incredible music, and many traditions Branford played a large role in establishing.

In his ongoing attempt to promote musical education and appreciation in America's youth, Branford began teaching clinics for the Disney All-American High School Jazz Band at special camps. Finally, in 1993, Branford won a Grammy for "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual or Group" for "I Heard You Twice the First Time." Following his triumph at the Grammy Awards, Branford went on to record "Bloomington" which was hailed by many as the "most important jazz record." (Click to hear "Xavier's Lair," from "Bloomington") During this time, he also composed and performed the score for an episode of "Tales from the Crypt" that was broadcast the following summer, a remake of John Coltranes classic, "A Love Supreme," for which all proceeds went to the Red Hot Organization, and the score for the NCB TV movie, "To My Daughter With Love."

During the past few years, Branford has continued his rigorous recording schedule, releasing numerous new albums and raking in many more awards for his musical brilliance. In the summer of 1995 he produced an album with his father, Ellis Marsalis, "Loved Ones." The album is comprised of exclusively piano solos and piano/saxophone duets. Each piece portrays and celebrates a different aspect of feminine mystique. Included in this masterful album was "Dear Dolores," composed by Ellis and in honor of his wife. "I never made a romantic record before, but I have to admit, I'm pleased."

He was recently named as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he will play a vital role in continuing to shape the direction of present-day jazz. Additionally, as part of his agreement with Columbia, he will perform regularly as well as sign new talent for the agency.