Branford Marsalis Quartet -][- FOUR MFS PLAYIN’ TUNES – [Marsalis Music, 2012] –

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African American, Amazon.com, Branford Marsalis, Eric Revis, Joey Calderazzo, Justin Faulkner, Marsalis Music, Saxophonist

Branford Marsalis Quartet, FOUR MFS PLAYIN’ TUNES

Branford Marsalis Quartet -][- FOUR MFS PLAYIN’ TUNES –Mp3– [Marsalis Music, 2012] –

Legendary saxophonist Branford Marsalis and his tight-knit working band invite audiences into their world of musical cohesion with the release of Four MFs Playin’ Tunes. On this nimble and sparkling album, the band respects the emotional intent of each song and executes that intent with musicianship focused solely on serving the purpose of each tune.

Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo [|] SONGS OF MIRTH and MELANCHOLY [Marsalis Music]

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African American, Branford Marsalis, Jazz, Joey Calderazzo, Piano, Saxophone

Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo - SONGS of MIRTH & MELANCHOLY

Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo [|] SONGS OF MIRTH and MELANCHOLY [Marsalis Music, 2011]

Songs of Mirth and Melancholy

Few contemporary pairings of saxophonist and pianist have been as inspired and productive as that of Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo. Since replacing the late Kenny Kirkland in Marsalis’ quartet in 1998, Calderazzo has blended seamlessly into the uncompromising creative atmosphere of the ensemble and revealed new facets of his own conception, while Marsalis in turn has been inspired by the pianist’s challenging instrumental support and growing strength as a composer. The relationship grows ever deeper, as documented on the new Marsalis Music CD Songs of Mirth and Melancholy.

Adding duo performances to their quartet collaboration is an idea launched on the golf course – or, more precisely, the 19th hole. As Calderazzo explains it, “The duo originated when Branford and I would play a couple of numbers at celebrity golf tournaments. But we really took it to another level at the 2009 Newport Jazz Festival, where we played four tunes in a short set and the interaction was really happening. That’s when we decided to record.” The session was a logical step for Marsalis, who has previously displayed his duo prowess in albums with his father Ellis (Loved Ones, Columbia, 1995) and Harry Connick, Jr. (Occasion, Volume 2 of Marsalis Music’s “Connick on Piano” series, 2005, and the complementary Marsalis Music DVD A Duo Occasion, filmed at the 2005 Ottawa Jazz Festival). —Torontojazz.com

..:: SOURCE: Torontojazz.com ::..

31st Detroit International Jazz Festival 2010 Edition of the Labor Day Weekend Classic to Celebrate Flame Keepers

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Bobby Watson, Branford Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Terence Blanchard

Detriot International Jazz Festival

Allen Toussaint, Take 6, Branford Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Roy Haynes, Manhattan Transfer, Kirk Whalum, and Mambo Legends Orchestra on tap.

Today, festival organizers announced the lineup for the 31st Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF), Friday, September 3 through Monday, September 6, in downtown Detroit.

Subtitled “Flame Keepers – Carrying the Torch for Modern Jazz,” the Detroit Jazz Fest will feature a veritable “dean’s list” of alumni who passed through the “schools” of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Betty Carter, Ray Brown, Miles Davis and Gil Evans. “2010 artists Mulgrew Miller, Bobby Watson, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Randy Brecker, and Benny Green were all in Blakey’s band at one time or another,” says festival director Terri Pontremoli. “These musicians went on to develop their own bands, explore new territory and nurture a new generation of flame keepers,” she added. “In jazz, a lot of press is given to the veterans or to the young lions. I am happy to focus this year on these “middle men” who are in the peak of their creative and technical powers, making significant music in our time.”

Marsalis To Score Denzel Washington Play

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African American, Branford Marsalis, Denzel Washington, Jazz, Saxophone

Branford Marsalis

Jazz great Branford Marsalis is to make his debut as a Broadway composer by creating music for Denzel Washington’s new play. The Grammy Award-winning saxophonist will compose original music for th e first Broadway revival of Fences, the 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by August Wilson.

The play, which stars Washington and Tony Award winner Viola Davis, will open at the end of next month (Apr10) at the Cort Theater in New York. Marsalis says, “What a dream come true to be making my Broadway debut composing music for this new production of August Wilson’s Fences.

“I had the great opportunity to sit in during rehearsals over the weekend and observe (director) Kenny Leon and these brilliant artists bringing this play to life. I look forward to the challenge of creating music that not only complements their performances, but enhances the experience for those sitting in the theater.”

..:: Source: Nestor/JazzNews ::..

Branford Marsalis | Random Abstract

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African American, Branford Marsalis, Jazz, Saxophonist

Branford Marsalis | Random Abstract – [Columbia – 1988]

Branford Marsalis - Random Abstract

For all those people who are looking for an album that is just a vehicle to display their technical prowess this isn’t the album for you. For those people searching for an album that represents the highest level of music being produced at the time, Random Abstract is what you’ve been searching for. Recorded in 1987 at the time where the direction of jazz had been heading in a different direction for quite some time, Random Abstract re-focuses that bearing to what some people may call mainstream today. As the third jazz album to be released by Branford Marsalis there is evidence that an artist mature beyond his years has emerged. In not only sound but also his ability to create melody’s that can stand on their own, without the aid of a band to back them up.