An Evening with Branford Marsalis
An Evening with Branford Marsalis
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Branford Marsalis and his quartet will perform an evening of music in conjunction with the opening of a new exhibit at the David C. Driskell Center, highlighting African American artists inspired by jazz.
A man of numerous musical interests — including jazz, blues, funk and modern classical works — Marsalis first gained acclaim through his work with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and his brother Wynton’s quintet before forming his own ensemble.
The three-time Grammy winner continues to expand his skills as an instrumentalist and composer. As head of Marsalis Music, the label he founded in 2002, he produces both his own projects and those of the jazz world’s most promising new and established artists.
Funded in part by a generous gift from Barbara and Charles Reiher.
Additional sponsoring partnership with the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City.
Branford Marsalis most recently appeared at the Center in the 2005–2006 season.
Review by DC Metro Theater Arts
At one point, Marsalis was talking about how, as a young man, he learned how important it was to learn the old jazz masters — “the old men”, and proceeded to play an arrangement of the Gershwin’s “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” The audience clearly was a fan of the standard (and the “old men”), as they wildly applauded, but one man, encouraged by Marsalis’s warmth and informality, yelled “Old men rock!” Marsalis, in the midst of a solo, responded, “Yes they do!”
– TIFFANY DRAUT, DC Metro Theater Arts, Saturday, February 16, 2013
Preview by Washington Examiner
Marsalis is committed to preserving jazz history and the works of its artists. "My fondest memories of growing up in New Orleans are all great," he said. "I remember playing in the symphonic orchestra and the director yelling at me for not practicing. I was lazy. Then, I left it for the Fairview Baptist Church to play in the marching band led by Danny Barker who had played guitar with Cab Calloway and Benny Carter. He was a wonderful teacher."
– EMILY CARY, Washington Examiner, Thursday, February 14, 2013
Preview by The Washington Informer
Marsalis said there's a uniqueness about jazz musicians, largely because of the laid back style of the music and the perceived sophistication that it takes to create jazz.
– STACY M. BROWN, The Washington Informer, Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Resources at the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library
Our neighbors at the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library have compiled a list of available resources relevant to this performance: