USA/PHILLIPINES: BRANFORD MARSALIS TENOR SAXOPHONIST RELEASES NEW ALBUM 'REQUIEM'

Record ID: 388817

  • Title: USA/PHILLIPINES: BRANFORD MARSALIS TENOR SAXOPHONIST RELEASES NEW ALBUM 'REQUIEM'
  • Date: 1st October 1999
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARSALIS SAYING "Oh, it's changed a lot because I've changed as a person. My outlook on life now at 38 is very different than it was when I was 18, or when I was 19 when I first came to New York. I feel fortunate in that reality. I think that society in general needs a certain level of consistency. Consistency brings a certain kind of validation, but
  • Embargoed: 16th October 1999 13:00
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  • Location: NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND/UNKNOWN LOCATION, UNITED STATES/ MANILLA, PHILLIPINES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA6J2GGIGU5ZHT7BEQIK077WMDQ
  • Story Text: Branford Marsalis is perhaps the world's most famous tenor saxophonist.The Grammy winning musician has successfully journeyed through several styles of music including jazz, pop, and classical.In a recent interview, the saxophonist told Reuters Television about his latest album Requiem, the death of a close friend, and what it means to be a Marsalis.
    Branford Marsalis is back out on the road.The saxophonist is touring with his jazz quartet in Europe with dates scheduled in Switzerland, Belgium and England over the next few weeks.
    Marsalis has never allowed himself to be restricted to just one musical style.He has won Grammys for his performances in pop and jazz, and has collaborated with numerous artists including Sting, the Grateful Dead, Bruce Hornsby.
    The saxophonist tells Reuters Television that his music has changed significantly over the years because he has changed as a person.
    "My outlook on life now at 38 is very different than it was when I was 18, or when I was 19 when I first came to New York," says Marsalis."Life is always changing, and the world is always changing.And the musicians should change - if they're lucky enough- they should change with the times as they grow older."
    One experience that undoubtedly has had a profound impact on Marsalis is the passing of his former pianist and friend Kenny Kirkland.Kirkland died suddenly last November, after an apparent drug overdose.
    "I really am grateful that I had grown up sufficiently as a person to really understand the realities of death and the impact that it has.I'm much more appreciative of Kenny as a friend and I'm much more appreciative of the fact that he died where I was at an age that I was mature enough emotionally to say good-bye to a dear friend."
    Marsalis' latest album, Requiem is a tribute to the late piano player.It's Marsalis' first quartet album since the group recorded Crazy People Music in 1990.When Marsalis is asked whether Kirkland would be impressed with the album, the saxophonist gives a candid answer.
    "No, because we didn't play at our best.He would only be satisfied if we played at our best," said Marsalis.
    Kirkland played on the album's first takes.After his death the remaining members of the quartet originally planned to re-record the tracks when they got back from a tour.The musicians did enter the studio months later, but most of the album's tracks come from the original sessions.
    Marsalis, a New Orleans native, was born into one of the city's most distinguished musical families which includes Grammy award winning trumpeter Wynton, younger brothers Delfeayo and Jason, and father, pianist and educator, Ellis Marsalis.Branford explains that his family wasn't always so recognized.
    "The thing that is often overlooked is that when I was growing up, my family was not known at all.My father was a little known piano player playing in New Orleans for chicken feed- you know scratching out a living as a school teacher.
    And then Wynton came to New York and then I followed Wynton to New York, then Wynton won a couple of Grammys and I got my record contract and then it became 'Oh the Marsalis'.I think it's a much tougher situation on my younger brothers."
    In addition to playing with his quartet, Marsalis has his hand in many things.The musician is a faculty member at Michigan State University, working on a classical record and a few big band projects.As for the future, Marsalis says he will always be covering new ground."I will not stand patent and continue to do the same things over and over again.That would kill me.
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