Saxophonist Branford Marsalis was born in New Orleans, the firstborn son of pianist Ellis and jazz singer Dolores. Five more sons followed, including trumpeter Wynton and vibraphonist Jason. The brothers were raised on music, and Marsalis developed his talent further when he went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1979. In 1980 he earned a place as a baritone saxophonist in drummer Art Blakey’s big band. Spending two weeks with vibraphonist Lionel Hampton’s orchestra was also instructive. Marsalis’s first album was Scenes In The City (1984). Things really took off from there: he created a storm in a quintet with his brother Wynton, played with his own groups, performed with Sting and led the Buckshot Lefonque project. He has become a symbol of contemporary artistic excellence and has won three Grammy Awards. His latest album, Belonging, was released on the Blue Note label.
