Artist Spotlight: Branford Marsalis, saxophone
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is delighted to welcome the legendary Branford Marsalis for a special one-night-only performance on October 5, 2024. Branford Marsalis is a multi-talented saxophonist known for his virtuosity and versatility across jazz, classical, and popular music genres. As the leader of the acclaimed Branford Marsalis Quartet, he has earned three Grammy Awards, as well as numerous accolades for his contributions to music.
Branford Marsalis was born on August 26, 1960, to Dolores, a jazz singer, and Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr. , a jazz pianist and music teacher. In 1979, he would attend the Berklee College of Music, and before he even finished his studies, he would land a job with Lionel Hampton Orchestra, a testament to his skills and prowess.
Branford is a popular featured soloist with classical ensembles, having performed with many acclaimed orchestras such as the Los Angeles, New York, and Warsaw Philharmonics, the Chicago, Detroit, Düsseldorf, North Carolina, and Tokyo Metropolitan Symphonies and the Boston Pops, with a growing repertoire that includes compositions by Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem, Vaughn Williams, and John Williams. Branford has also received numerous awards for his composition work, with screen credits including Spike Lee’s Mo Better Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Rustin. His original music for August Wilson’s “Fences” would earn him a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music in a Play and a Tony Nomination for Best Original Score Written for the Theater.
Branford previously served as Creative Director of the Ascent Series of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, Branford performed John Williams’ Escapades with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for Tanglewood’s celebration of Williams’ 90th Birthday, the same piece our audiences will enjoy this October.
Join us for an evening of extraordinary music as Branford Marsalis graces the stage with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, performing a captivating program that highlights his exceptional talent. This is a concert you won't want to miss!
