News | Marsalis Music

‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

’Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, featuring original music from Branford Marsalis, is out now on Netflix. The film chronicles the life of “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey, and stars Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman in his final on-screen performance.

The soundtrack, featuring original music from Branford Marsalis, is also out now (via Milan Records).

“When I signed on to direct, I instantly knew I wanted to work with Branford Marsalis, because when you collaborate with Branford the composer/arranger, Branford the historian, musicologist, dramatist, and raconteur shows up as well,” director George C. Wolfe said in a statement. “And because he understands the inherently transgressive nature of the blues, Branford’s arrangements capture not only the cultural and regional DNA in Ma Rainey’s songs, but the wit and rage embedded in every note, shout, and moan.” Read more »

Branford Marsalis Quartet: The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul

The Branford Marsalis Quartet announce the release of their new album, The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul, on March 1 via OKeh Records, an imprint of Sony Music Masterworks, and Marsalis Music. Available now for preorder, the new album finds the celebrated ensemble at a new peak, addressing a kaleidoscope of moods with inspiration and group commitment. Included in today’s preorder is the new track, “Snake Hip Waltz” – listen here. Read more »

Branford Marsalis to reunite with Grateful Dead members at Lockn' Festival 2018

Publication: Rolling Stone
Author: Richard Gehr
Date: May 2, 2018

A Grateful Dead late-career highlight will be celebrated during on August 26th, when Lockn’ Festival headliners Dead & Company – featuring John Mayer with former Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann – will reunite with jazz veteran Branford Marsalis, whose collaboration with the band at Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum in March 1990 has become one of the Dead’s most legendary shows. Read more »

Upward Spiral nominated for 2017 Grammy award!

Grammy Congratulations to the Branford Marsalis Quartet with special guest Kurt Elling for their 2017 Grammy nomination in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album! The project has many upcoming US and European concert dates, beginning in January 2017, so please visit Branford’s website to see if the group will be performing in a location near you.

Classical or Jazz? Branford Marsalis bridges both worlds of music in Allentown Symphony Orchestra ‘Opening Gala’

Publication: Bethlehem Press
Author: Paul Willistein
Date: October 14, 2016

The 2016-17 season-opening Allentown Symphony Orchestra classical music concerts will be long-remembered for a Lehigh Valley world premiere by a well-known musician, band leader and composer.

Branford Marsalis and the Allentown Symphony perform Villa-Lobos’ “Fantasia for Saxophone and Orchestra” in an updated transcription of the work.

Marsalis headlines the “Opening Gala” for the Allentown Symphony Orchestra ”Classical Series,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 and 3 p.m. Oct. 16, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

The program, conducted by Diane Wittry, Allentown Symphony Orchestra Music Director, in addition to Marsalis performing Villa-Lobos’ “Fantasia for Saxophone and Orchestra” and Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras” No. 5 Aria (Cantilena) and Dansa (Martelo), includes Villa-Lobos’ Sinfonietta No. 1 (“A memoria de Mozart”), and Beethoven Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”).

The Villa-Lobos’ “Fantasia for Saxophone and Orchestra” work on the Allentown Symphony concert program has a special place in the repertoire of Marsalis, who grew up in a household filled with music in Breaux Bridge, La. His mother, Dolores, is a jazz singer and substitute teacher. His father, Ellis, is a pianist and music professor. His brothers Jason, Wynton, Ellis III and Delfeayo are also jazz musicians. The New York Times described the Marsalis family as “jazz’s most storied living dynasty.”

“The piece [‘Fantasia for Saxophone and Orchestra’] is on the first classical record I ever got. I played the piece and liked it and didn’t like it,” Marsalis says during a phone interview the day before he turned 56 on Aug. 26.

Read more »