Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis, born on August 26, 1960, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, is a renowned American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. Hailing from a family of esteemed musicians, including his father Ellis Marsalis, a distinguished jazz pianist, and his brothers Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason, Branford has left an indelible mark on the contemporary jazz landscape.

Beginning his musical journey early on, Branford Marsalis demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for the saxophone, mastering both the alto and tenor varieties with remarkable dexterity and depth. His unparalleled skills and dynamic performances have garnered him widespread acclaim, establishing him as one of the most influential and innovative saxophonists of his generation.

With a career spanning several decades, Branford has collaborated with an array of esteemed musicians and artists across various genres, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. Notably, his contributions to jazz, classical music, and even popular culture have solidified his reputation as a multifaceted and boundary-pushing musician.

Throughout his illustrious career, Branford Marsalis has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, affirming his status as a preeminent figure in the contemporary music scene. His unwavering dedication to musical excellence, combined with his profound commitment to artistic exploration, has made him a beacon of inspiration for aspiring musicians and jazz enthusiasts worldwide.

Beyond his accomplishments as a performer, Branford Marsalis has also made significant contributions as an educator and advocate for the arts, imparting his wisdom and expertise to the next generation of musicians. Through his mentorship and educational initiatives, he continues to nurture and cultivate the talents of young artists, ensuring the enduring legacy of jazz and musical innovation.

Branford Marsalis's enduring influence on the world of music remains an enduring testament to his extraordinary talent, creativity, and unwavering passion for the arts. As he continues to push the boundaries of musical expression, his legacy serves as a testament to the profound impact of his contributions on the cultural fabric of contemporary music.

NEA Jazz Master, renowned Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and Tony Award® nominee composer Branford Marsalis is one of the most revered instrumentalists of his time.  The three-time Grammy Award winner has continued to exercise and expand his skills as an instrumentalist, a composer, and the head of Marsalis Music, the label he founded in 2002 that has allowed him to produce both his own projects and those of the jazz world’s most promising new and established artists. Leader of one of the finest jazz quartets today, and a frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford has become increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with such acclaimed orchestras as the Chicago, Detroit, Düsseldorf, and North Carolina Symphonies and the Boston Pops, with a growing repertoire that includes compositions by Copland, Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem and Vaughn Williams.  His propensity for innovative and forward-thinking compels him to seek new and challenging works by modern classical composers such as modern Scottish composer Sally Beamish who, after hearing Branford perform her composition “The Imagined Sound of Sun on Stone” at the 2006 North Sea Jazz Festival, was inspired to re-conceive a piece in progress, “Under the Wing of the Rock,” which he premiered as part of the Celtic Connections festival Beamish’s home country of Scotland in January 2009. Please contact SME today to book Branford Marsalis!