Branford Marsalis in Residency at Williams College

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, communications assistant; tele: (413) 597-4277; email: [email protected]

Branford Marsalis WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Nov. 7, 2003 – Few families can boast the musical pedigree of the Marsalis family, New Orleans’ renowned band of jazz-loving brothers. Branford Marsalis, arguably the brother with the broadest musical scope and most relentless spirit of innovation, will be at Williams for a residency from Wednesday, Nov. 12 to Friday, Nov. 14.

During his stay on campus, Marsalis will work with his regular jazz quartet and a string quartet, as well as student musicians, to develop new arrangements and compositions.

“Questions and Answers with Branford Marsalis,” an opportunity for community members to ask questions of the saxophonist, will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall.

Never content to limit himself to a single facet of jazz, Marsalis recently announced the launch of Marsalis Music, an independent record label designed to nurture the talent of young artists shunned by the music industry’s large conglomerates. Ellis Marsalis, the legendary jazz pianist and patriarch of the Marsalis clan, collaborated on the project.

Branford Marsalis began his career by taking jazz into the realm of pop music, touring with the Grateful Dead, Sting, and Bruce Hornsby. In 1993, he came into his own with release of “I Heard You Twice the First Time,” which won a Grammy for best jazz instrumental performance. Two years later he was nominated for another Grammy, in this case for best pop instrumental performance.

But not only is Marsalis in his element on stage, at jazz clubs and classical concert halls, he also has a reputation for excellence as a producer in the studio. The first album he produced, David Sanchez’s “Obsesion,” received a Grammy nomination for best Latin jazz performance. His contributions as a composer and solo artist to various film scores have also been well received.

For a number of years, Marsalis taught as a visiting scholar and part-time faculty member at Michigan State University’s music program. Now he teaches jazz part-time at San Francisco State University.

To Marsalis, music education is of the utmost importance. In addition to signing recording artists, Marsalis Music plans to conduct workshops and partnerships with educational and cultural organizations to expand jazz’s audience. “Marsalis Jams,” one of the label’s first initiatives, will concentrate on college listeners. “This is a very exciting time and I am thrilled to be doing this,” Marsalis said.

DIRECTIONS: For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Public Affairs (413) 597-4279. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/home/campusmap/

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Published November 13, 2003