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Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis Quotes

Saxophonist

Branford Marsalis is a distinguished American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. Born on August 26, 1960, he has made substantial contributions to the world of jazz with his innovative playing and compositions. Marsalis has won several Grammy Awards and is known for his versatility across various jazz genres.

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Famous Branford Marsalis Quotes

“The lion's share of what I hear right now are people who, intentional or accidental, have avoided all jazz prior to 1960. And all the musicians who were successful in the '60s spent their entire lives, prior to 1960, listening to all the musicians these people avoid.”

People Successful Share Listening Right Now Musician Jazz Lions 1960s Avoided

Author:Branford Marsalis

“One of the things that I loved about listening to Miles Davis is that Miles always had an instinct for which musicians were great for what situations. He could always pick a band, and that was the thing that separated him from everybody else.”

Situation Listening Band Musician Picks Instinct Miles

Author:Branford Marsalis

“So much of Jazz doesn't have an audience other than music students or musicians.”

Music Audience Students Musician Jazz

Author:Branford Marsalis

“If youre going to use standards as criteria for signing musicians, you can sign thousands. If youre going to use some sort of conceptual interpretation thats based on the tradition of those standards, but is trying to move away from it, youre down to about 10 people or so.”

People Ifs Trying Use Moving Musician Standards Tradition Interpretation Criteria Signing

Author:Branford Marsalis

“A lot of musicians have a tough time hearing what we're doing in a trio format.”

Musician Tough Hearing Tough Times Format Trios

Author:Branford Marsalis

“If you listen to a lot of the songs that are popular now, there's very little melody in there. People love the beat. But to musicians, it's melody, because we understand how elusive it is and how hard it is to hold.”

People Ifs Littles Hard Song Musician Beats Melody Elusive

Author:Branford Marsalis

“Walter Beasley is an anomaly: a successful performing musician who possesses the rare skill of understanding the musical process beyond the intuitive. This special ability enables Walter to communicate with aspiring musicians in a way that removes the sense of mystery that sometimes enshrouds our profession.”

Way Sometimes Process Understanding Ability Successful Mystery Special Skills Musician Musical Communicate Profession Performing Remove Intuitive Anomalies

Author:Branford Marsalis

“One of the things that's clear to me from interviews that I've read is that the more popular successful jazz musicians had audiences above and beyond the music community.”

Community Audience Successful Clear Musician Jazz Interviews Halloween Jazz Music Jazz Musician Above And Beyond

Author:Branford Marsalis

“My dad was a musician, it was just what he did, like another guy's dad drives a meat truck. Our house was normal. We weren't taken with the fact our dad was a musician.”

Facts Guy House Taken Dad Normal Musician My Dad Granted Meat Truck Taking Things For Granted

Author:Branford Marsalis

About the Author

Born: August 26, 1960
Known for: Saxophonist
Quotes: 39

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