Branford marsalis tonight show
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Branford Marsalis Talks Muffulettas, The Tonight Show, and Jazz
Publication: Maxim
Author: Alexa Lyons
Date: March 27,
We caught up with renowned jazz musician Branford Marsalis just before his current tour (his first stop being at Jazz at Lincoln Center next week), and subjected him to the same 10 questions we always ask everyone.
How did you first get into music?
When you grow up in a city where society values music as much as they value football, it’s easy to make that choice.
How did you get into playing the saxophone?
I was playing clarinet and piano in an R&B band that was doing a weekly talent show. I was really sick of carrying around a lb. clarinet at the age of 14, so I talked a good friend of mine into becoming the piano player so I could switch to saxophone.
Who were your musical inspirations growing up?
Everybody was my music inspiration growing up. Earth Wind & Fire, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Stevie Wonder. They wrote great tunes. Sometimes the songs that weren’t hits were better than the ones that were.
What about modern mainstream artists? Do any of them do it for you?
It serves a different purpose. The Beatles were the first band to make really, really large sums of money playing pop music, and that was in the late ‘60
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OffBeat Magazine
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Branford MarsalisJay LenoTonight Show
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A conversation with musician Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis has played a large role in shaping the style and sound of contemporary jazz music. He's also achieved a level of notoriety that is unusual for jazz musicians.
You might know Branford for his work as a bandleader on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, or perhaps you've heard his collaborations with rock and rap artists, including Sting, the Grateful Dead and Public Enemy. Branford Marsalis will be making two appearances in Indiana this week.
We recently spoke via zoom.
Long: Branford, I want to ask about one of your early experiences as a professional musician. I think you were a teenager when you joined Art Blakey’s legendary group, The Jazz Messengers. What was that experience? Like for you joining this iconic jazz band as a teenager?
Marsalis: You almost there I was So yeah, I was I was emotionally very much a teenager. But Blakey was not really fond of me, which was fine with me because as long as he was willing to dispense the knowledge to me, I didn't need to be liked by him.
But his knowledge of music I've met few people knew as much about jazz as he did. So he was invaluable to me.
Long: And Branford you've performed and recorded with many jazz icons, including Miles