Career Highlights

March 1999	Release of Requiem, Branford Marsalis' first quartet album since Crazy People Music in 1990. CD features late pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts.
February 1999	Now in its eighth season, Branford Marsalis' popular syndicated National Public Radio (NPR) program, "JazzSet", wins annual Achievement in Radio Award (AIR) for "Best Syndicated Show".
January 1999	Branford Marsalis' first project as producer and creative consultant for Columbia Jazz, David Sanchez's Obsesión, is nominated for a Grammy in "Best Latin Jazz Performance" category.
Summer 1998	Branford begins production on a forthcoming Columbia Jazz CD by vocalist Frank McComb, a member of the saxophonist's Buckshot LeFonque group.
May/April 1998	Branford makes a long awaited performance at the Blue Note in Japan with his quartet, performing at the venue for the first time in nearly a decade.
December 1997	Delivers the commencement speech to graduating members of the Michigan State University community and receives honorary degree in acknowledgement of his achievements.
November 1997	National release of director Kasi Lemmons' debut film, "Eve's Bayou", in which the multi-faceted saxophonist portrays a poignant cameo role. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Debbie Morgan, Lynn Whitfield, Lisa Nicole Carson, and others.
August 1997	In a historic decision, Columbia Records president Donnie Ienner names Branford Marsalis as the creative consultant to Columbia Jazz. Branford's new role makes him instrumental in shaping the creative direction of the label through the signing of new talent and providing creative input to current artist roster.
April 1997	Buckshot LeFonque's second CD, Music Evolution, is released worldwide.
October 1996	Release of Dark Keys marks Marsalis' first recording in the jazz trio format since his acclaimed 1993 album, Bloomington. The album is described as a wonderment of texture, mood, and air-tight ensemble performance and receives critical acclaim from musicians and critics alike.
Fall 1996	Branford accepts a position as the first appointee to the Catherine Herrick Cobb Distinguished Lectureship at Michigan State University. He extends his year-long agreement, becoming a part-time faculty member and advisor. He continues in this capacity through today.
March 1996	Showtime movie, "Mr. & Mrs. Loving", for which Branford wrote the score, is premiered. The movie stars Lela Rochon and Timothy Hutton.
January 1996	"Loved Ones", Branford's collaborative duet with father/pianist Ellis Marsalis, is released.
February 1995	Branford is nominated for yet another Grammy with Bruce Hornsby in the category of "Best Instrumental Performance" for their stirring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" which the duo performed for Ken Burns' memorable PBS series "Baseball".
Year of 1995	Buckshot LeFonque launches worldwide tour in support of debut album, including a performance in Washington, DC as part of the 20th Annual Earth Day.
August 1994	Branford releases the self-titled debut album from his newly formed Buckshot LeFonque. An eclectic blend of rock, R&B, hip-hop and blues with a jazz sensibility, this project features artists such as DJ Premiere, poet Maya Angelou, the late blues guitarist Albert Collins and others.
February 1994	Branford wins Grammy in "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" with Bruce Hornsby for his single "Barcelona Mona". He also performs on hip-hop star Guru's Jazzmatazz and participates on A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield, collaborating with the Impressions.
December 1993	Branford composes and performs new music for NBC-TV/Disney original movie of the week, "To My Daughter With Love", directed by Kevin Hooks.
October 1993	Hit GRP Records sampler, Red, Hot & Cool, features Branford's rendition of the John Coltrane classic, "A Love Supreme". Proceeds benefit the Red Hot Organization and their mission to promote awareness of AIDS through popular culture.
May 1993	Release of Bloomington, a spectacular live album recorded at Indiana University in Bloomington, featuring bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts.
February 1993	Branford's CD, I Heard You Twice The First Time, wins a Grammy in "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual or Group". Issued in September of '92, the Grammy winner features the saxophonist's staunch and acclaimed rhythm section with pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Robert Hurst, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts. Also highlighted are B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Wynton Marsalis, Wes Anderson, Russell Malone, and Linda Hopkins.
November 1992	Branford co-hosts CBS-TV special, "The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy in Song", celebrating 50 years of classic Disney film music (airs Feb '93).
September 1992	Branford is the featured soloist on the soundtrack of the movie "Sneakers", starring actor Robert Redford.
July 1992	"The Music Tells You", a documentary-style feature, is commercially released. The film follows the consummate artist in a variety of settings including in concert, recording, teaching, and in interviews. Special appearances are made by Sting, Jerry Garcia, and Bruce Hornsby.
May 1992	Branford premieres as the music director and arranger of the band for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". Branford is joined by Kenny Kirkland, Robert Hurst, Jeff "Tain" Watts, guitarist Kevin Eubanks, trombonist Matt Finders, trumpeter Sal Marquez, and percussionist Vicki Randle.
January 1992	Branford becomes the host of "JazzSet", a weekly NPR series produced by WBGO (88.3 FM) which features live performances by renowned jazz artists throughout the world in esteemed venues and festivals.
October 1991	The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born is released. Produced by Delfeayo Marsalis, the CD highlights Branford in a trio setting for the first time since Trio Jeepy. Joined by Hurst and Watts, Branford has special guest performances by saxophonist Courtney Pine and Wynton Marsalis.
February 1991	Branford earns two Grammy nominations: "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist" for Crazy People Music and "Best Instrumental Performance, Group" for music from Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues", featuring the Branford Marsalis Quartet with Terence Blanchard. Both albums were released in the summer of '90.
Summer 1990	"Jazz Thing", a rap performed by Gangstarr over the closing credits of Spike Lee's movie, "Mo' Better Blues", is issued as a single. Co-written by Branford Marsalis and co-produced with DJ Premiere, "Jazz Thing" merges rap and jazz for the first time in a successful synergy introducing a new approach to music.
Mid-1990	Branford is the featured performer on the score and the soundtrack album of Australian movie director Fred Schepsi's film, "The Russia House", featuring Sean Connery.
February 1990	Trio Jeepy is nominated for a Grammy for "Best Instrumental Performance" in both the Soloist and Group categories (issued in June '89). Branford maintains busy schedule playing national anthem at NBA All-Star game, performing at Rain Forest benefit in Los Angeles, and narrating a special Black History Month series for NPR entitled "Bass Lines: The Reflections of Milt Hinton".
February 1989	Random Abstract is nominated for "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance" in the Soloist or Group category.
February 1988	Grammy awards bring second nomination, "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist" for "Cottontail", a track from the Duke Ellington Orchestra's Digital Duke album (GRP).
January 1998	Branford embarks on aggressive international year-long tour with Sting. Highlights include Freedomfest concert for Nelson Mandela which is broadcast live from Wembley Stadium in London via satellite and the Amnesty International tour and HBO special recorded in Japan.
December 1987	Branford's Renaissance CD is released. Produced by brother Delfeayo, the album features pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Robert Hurst, and drummer Tony Williams.
February 1987	Royal Garden Blues, Branford's second jazz album on Columbia garners the saxophonist his first Grammy nomination for "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist". The album is produced by his younger brother, Delfeayo, and features father, pianist Ellis Marsalis, on one of the tracks.
Early 1987	Branford hosts inaugural show of VH-1's "New Visions" series.
Summer 1986	Tours internationally with Herbie Hancock's group (bassist Ron Carter and alternating drummers Al Foster and Tony Williams).
April 1986	Branford's successful Romances For Saxophone is issued. Featuring the music of Faure, Ravel, Debussy and others, it stays on Billboard's Top 5 classical chart for over two months.
August 1985	Performs at original Live Aid Concert.
March 1985	Branford is introduced to Sting, the leader of the Police, and they form first band with Kenny Kirkland, bassist Daryl "Munch" Jones, and drummer Omar Hakim, beginning an on-going affiliation which resulted in acclaimed albums Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985) and Nothing Like the Sun (1987) as well as the video documentary "Bring On The Night" and its UK-only release of the double LP by the same title (1986).
April 1984	Branford records Columbia debut, Scenes In The City.
Summer 1981	Tours with Clark Terry before returning to work with Art Blakey's ensemble.
December 1980	Tours with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra.
Summer 1980	Tours with Art Blakey in Europe.
Autumn 1979 - January 1981	Branford attends Berklee School of Music in Boston.
August 26, 1960	Branford Marsalis born in New Orleans, LA, the oldest of six sons to Ellis and Dolores Marsalis.

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