Branford Marsalis Quartet

Biography

The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986 by New Orleans-born saxophonist Branford Marsalis, has established itself as one of the premier jazz ensembles in contemporary music. Born into a musical family, Branford initially began on clarinet before transitioning to alto and then tenor and soprano saxophones as a teenager. His early career was marked by prestigious collaborations with trumpet legend Clark Terry and Art Blakey's legendary Jazz Messengers alongside his brother Wynton. After leaving to form the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Branford eventually established his own quartet, which has remained his primary means of expression for nearly four decades.

The quartet has distinguished itself through its rare breadth of stylistic range, performing uncompromising interpretations of both original compositions and jazz classics. Known for the telepathic communication among its uncommonly consistent personnel and its deep book of original music replete with expressive melodies and provocative forms, the ensemble has been recognized as the standard to which other jazz ensembles must be measured. The group's evolution has been marked by key personnel changes, including the addition of pianist Joey Calderazzo in 2000 following the untimely death of original pianist Kenny Kirkland, and drummer Justin Faulkner joining in 2009. This longevity and consistency has allowed the quartet to play adventurous, sophisticated music with a level of familiarity that enables risk-taking rather than defensive playing.

Throughout its existence, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has achieved significant critical acclaim, earning six Grammy nominations and one Grammy win, along with numerous other accolades. The group's recent work includes The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul (2019), recorded in Australia, and Belonging (2021), their Blue Note Records debut featuring a full album interpretation of Keith Jarrett's 1974 ECM album. Beyond the quartet context, Branford has distinguished himself as a multi-award-winning artist with three Grammy Awards overall, a citation by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master, a Tony nomination for Broadway composition, and a 2021 Primetime Emmy nomination for his score for the Tulsa Burning documentary.

Fun Facts

• Branford Marsalis's first instrument was actually the clarinet, not the saxophone, before transitioning to alto and then tenor and soprano saxophones as a teenager working in local bands.
• The quartet released their first vinyl recording in 2012 with 'Four MFs Playin' Tunes' on deluxe 180-gram high definition vinyl prior to Record Store Day, which was named Apple iTunes Best of 2012 Instrumental Jazz Album of the Year.
• Branford performed 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte on September 5, 2012, showcasing his versatility beyond traditional jazz settings.
• The quartet's 2021 album 'Belonging' is a complete reinterpretation of Keith Jarrett's 1974 ECM album of the same name, marking their Blue Note Records debut and demonstrating their ability to honor jazz classics while maintaining their unique voice.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Clark Terry - Early career mentor who provided Branford with one of his first major professional opportunities as a trumpet legend (Professional performances in early career) [Early 1980s]
• Art Blakey - Legendary bandleader whose Jazz Messengers provided formative experience for Branford alongside his brother Wynton (Jazz Messengers performances) [Early 1980s]
• Miles Davis - Jazz legend with whom Branford performed, contributing to his development as a world-class saxophonist (Various performances) [1980s]
• Herbie Hancock - Influential jazz pianist with whom Branford collaborated and performed (Various performances) [1980s-1990s]
• Dizzy Gillespie - Bebop pioneer who worked with Branford during his formative years (Various performances) [1980s]

Key Collaborators

• Jeff 'Tain' Watts - Drummer and longtime collaborator with uncommon rapport dating back to their years at Berklee College of Music, forming the axis of Marsalis' bands since the mid-1980s (Quartet performances throughout decades) [1986-present]
• Joey Calderazzo - Pianist who joined the quartet in 2000 following Kenny Kirkland's death, working together for over a decade (Contemporary Jazz (2000), Songs of Mirth and Melancholy (2011 duo album), The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul (2019), Belonging (2021)) [2000-present]
• Kenny Kirkland - Original quartet pianist whose partnership with Marsalis produced major statements in the early 1990s before his untimely death (Crazy People Music (1990), Requiem (1998)) [1986-1998]
• Eric Revis - Bassist who replaced Robert Hurst in the quartet (Various quartet recordings from late 1990s onward) [1998-present]
• Robert Hurst - Original quartet bassist in the ensemble's first incarnation (Early quartet recordings including Crazy People Music) [1986-late 1990s]
• Justin Faulkner - Drummer who joined the band in 2009 (Four MFs Playin' Tunes (2012), The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul (2019), Belonging (2021)) [2009-present]
• Wynton Marsalis - Brother and fellow musician with whom Branford performed in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and co-founded the Wynton Marsalis Quintet (Wynton Marsalis Quintet recordings) [Early-mid 1980s]
• Sting - Collaborated as member of Sting's first post-Police band (Various Sting recordings and tours) [Mid-late 1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Mo' Better Blues (feat. Terence Blanchard) (MUSIC FROM MO' BETTER BLUES (feat. Terence Blanchard))
2. Muldoon (Eternal)
3. The Ruby and The Pearl (Eternal)
4. The Lonely Swan (Eternal)
5. Cianna (The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul)
6. Gloomy Sunday (Eternal)
7. Spiral Dance
8. Dinner for One Please, James (Eternal)
9. Again Never (MUSIC FROM MO' BETTER BLUES (feat. Terence Blanchard))
10. Conversation Among the Ruins (The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia