Biography of Branford Marsalis

The current leader of the new "Tonight Show" band, Branford Marsalis hasn't been as controversial or as high-profile (until recently) as his brother Wynton. A member of jazz's most well-known family, Branford Marsalis began as an alto player, replacing Bobby Watson in Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1981. He switched to tenor and soprano, then joined his brother's band in 1982, staying until 1985. The group toured extensively nationally and internationally and won critical applause, while selling vast numbers of recordings for jazz releases. But an alleged dispute over stylistic direction and a decision to join rocker Sting's tour purportedly led to the brothers' split in 1985-1986. A couple of years later, Marsalis was heading his own band and has since become a major player in his own right. His swooping, huge-tone, supple phrasing and witty licks have links to Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, and even Coleman Hawkins or Ben Webster, but Marsalis has strived to develop his own voice and keeps developing in that regard. ~ Ron Wynn