For the past decade, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has been one of the best working jazz bands on the planet. The tightness of that unit is reflected in this duo recording from saxophonist Marsalis and pianist Joey Calderazzo. Songs of Mirth and Melancholy starts with a jaunty blues from Calderazzo’s pen, “One Way,” that has [...]
Tag Archives: Marsalis family
Branford Marsalis/Joey Calderazzo, Songs of Mirth and Melancholy (Marsalis Music)
August 1, 2011 – 12:53 am
The Marsalis Family, Music Redeems (Marsalis Records)
September 1, 2010 – 12:56 am
The family band has been a cornerstone of the American entertainment industry since the 19th Century, when singing families became the first domestic music stars. There’s something magic about the way blood relatives interact with each other spiritually and instinctively rather than technically. This is even more important in the African-American music tradition, in which [...]
Signs of the Times
June 16, 2009 – 9:20 am
New Orleans got love from the New York Times in the last few days. In Jon Pareles’ Bonnaroo wrap-up, Allen Toussaint was singled out for his version of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” and Ben Ratliff reported on the Marsalis family’s visit to the White House, including the workshop they gave to students, including some [...]
Branford Marsalis
January 1, 2006 – 12:01 am
Branford Marsalis began expressing his thoughts on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina before a question could be asked concerning the subject at hand—his involvement with Habitat for Humanity’s and the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity’s Musicians Village project. The renowned saxophonist along with his father, pianist Ellis Marsalis and pianist/singer Harry Connick, Jr. are [...]
Ellis Marsalis Interview
October 1, 1989 – 12:01 am
It’s easy to understand why Ellis Marsalis seems almost gratified by something his students almost take for granted. “Growing up in New Orleans, there was always some opposition, especially at the university level, to any kind of jazz,” said Marsalis, the city’s foremost jazz educator. “There was also a kind of fundamental opposition in academe [...]
