Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalisis an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSaxophonist
Date of Birth26 August 1960
CityBreaux Bridge, LA
CountryUnited States of America
mean titles identification
When you're dealing with music without words, titles are more a means of identification than anything else. What's the point of getting lofty?
listening band musician
One of the things that I loved about listening to Miles Davis is that Miles always had an instinct for which musicians were great for what situations. He could always pick a band, and that was the thing that separated him from everybody else.
piano people tough-times
The piano is the X factor. People have a tough time following the structures when there's no piano there, spelling it out. It makes it more easily understood, particularly to people who don't know as much about music.
song brain sometimes
You hear it in your brain. Whatever makes sense. Some songs work well as quartet songs, sometimes they don't.
player jazz unfortunate
It's something that jazz has gotten away from, and it's unfortunate. Players aren't physical anymore.
successful people listening
The lion's share of what I hear right now are people who, intentional or accidental, have avoided all jazz prior to 1960. And all the musicians who were successful in the '60s spent their entire lives, prior to 1960, listening to all the musicians these people avoid.
artist records sound
I like to make records sound good. I'm more like a reducer than a producer. If an artist cannot produce themselves, what's the point?
culture tonight shows
I gave up my base in popular culture when I left the Tonight Show.
tough-times hearing trios
A lot of musicians have a tough time hearing what we're doing in a trio format.
focus intellectual culture
It's hard to get into Newsweek because, as more of our former intellectual magazines take on a pop focus, if there's no buzz, there's no interest.
thinking doors care
I think that if you keep banging at the door all you need is a little foothold, a little tiny foothold, and then the rest will take care of itself.
fun people okay
If I were like a lot of other people, then it wouldn't be fun; but since I'm like me, it's okay.
successful skills understanding
Walter Beasley is an anomaly: a successful performing musician who possesses the rare skill of understanding the musical process beyond the intuitive. This special ability enables Walter to communicate with aspiring musicians in a way that removes the sense of mystery that sometimes enshrouds our profession.
art unique desire
We have something that is unique. We have our craft. We have our art. We have our desire.