Branford marsalis tonight show

Jay Leno’s time with The Tonight Show has come on gone, but it&#;s worth remembering that New Orleans’ own Branford Marsalis once led the popular late night program’s house band. In fact, Marsalis’ tenure as the show’s original bandleader began 25 years ago today&#;on May 25, &#;during Leno’s first episode as permanent host.

While Marsalis had already developed a sterling reputation as a jazz saxophonist and collaborated with massively popular acts like Sting and the Grateful Dead, the Tonight Show gig raised his profile considerably, making him a household name among a national audience that may not have known much about his work with the likes of Art Blakey or his brother Wynton. Marsalis would eventually part ways with The Tonight Show in January 0f , but now seems like a good time to look back at his first episode as bandleader (the video will load right when Marsalis is introduced).

Publication: Maxim
Author: Alexa Lyons
Date: March 27,

We caught up with renowned jazz musician Branford Marsalis just before his current tour (his first stop being at Jazz at Lincoln Center next week), and subjected him to the same 10 questions we always ask everyone.

How did you first get into music?
When you grow up in a city where society values music as much as they value football, it’s easy to make that choice.

How did you get into playing the saxophone?
I was playing clarinet and piano in an R&B band that was doing a weekly talent show. I was really sick of carrying around a lb. clarinet at the age of 14, so I talked a good friend of mine into becoming the piano player so I could switch to saxophone.

Who were your musical inspirations growing up?
Everybody was my music inspiration growing up. Earth Wind & Fire, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Stevie Wonder. They wrote great tunes. S

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