Branford Marsalis News

This summer on July 10 at 7pm at The Green Room 42 (570 10th Avenue), Broadway star and recording artist Luba Mason will premiere a new Broadway-centric concert, Luba Mason - 5' 10" with pianist & music director Billy Stritch (Liza Minnelli, Christine Ebersole).

Dr. Peter Simon, Michael and Sonja Koerner President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, and James Anagnoson, Dean of The Glenn Gould School, today revealed details of the diverse concerts that will make up the 11th concert season, during which Koerner Hall turns 10 years old.

On Broadway: Performing Arts Training Program announces that enrollment is now open for the 2019 Summer Program.

Over the course of each Broadway season, unexpected and unique storylines inevitably pop up. This morning, with the announcement of the 2019 Tony Award nominations, a number of new narratives have come to life.

Northrop announced its 2019-20 Season today, featuring its signature Dance Series comprising 10 renowned dance companies in performances ranging from The Great Gatsby to George Balanchine's famous Jewels, as well as a Music Series that spotlights Northrop's restored pipe organ in concerts by Branford Marsalis with organist Jean-Willy Kunz and the Minnesota Orchestra featuring revolutionary organist Cameron Carpenter. For a preview of all the events in the 2019-20 Northrop Season, see this video. Press Photos available here.

NEA Jazz Master, renowned Grammy Award winning saxophonist and Tony Award nominee Branford Marsalis, considered one of the most revered instrumentalists of his time, will perform at Madison's Overture Center on Tuesday, April 9.

Da Camera of Houston announces its 2019/2020 season, which features a lineup spanning a multitude of styles and genres.

One of the world's most distinctive singing voices, Michael McDonald is often imitated but never duplicated. He's had enough humility over the years to blend his voice with others, whether as a member of Steely Dan, a Doobie Brother, and as a highly successful solo artist and songwriter. More recently, his collaborations have included being a member of the supergroup the Dukes of September, as well as reaching the Coachella generation as a celebrated co-star on Thundercat's indie hit "Show You the Way."

Star Kitchen, the exciting new outfit from bassist Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), has announced the special guests for their upcoming late-night show at The Maison during this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, April 28th. For their NOLA late-night, the nascent band—which also features Danny Mayer (Eric Krasno Band), Rob Marscher (Jennifer Hartswick Band/Matisyahu), and Marlon Lewis (Lauryn Hill/John Legend)—will welcome keyboardist and fellow Disco Biscuits member Aron Magner as well as a slew of Jazz Fest late-night stalwarts: guitarist Eric Krasno (Soulive/Lettuce), vocalist Shira Elias (Turkuaz), and saxophonist Khris Royal (Rebelution).

American saxophonist Branford Marsalis has long been regarded as one of the world's greatest living musicians. Born in New Orleans and hailing from a rich jazz heritage, Marsalis is renowned for his boundless musicality that sees him move effortlessly between the jazz, Latin and classical genres. This exceptional versatility, paired with a thrilling virtuosity, makes him the ideal collaborator with the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), an ensemble that is renowned around the world for its intrepid and adventurous approach to programming and performance.

The renowned New Orleans Jazz Orchestra reflects on the wide-ranging influence of the Big Easy's own Allen Toussaint, the legendary composer, singer, pianist, and producer, with the March 29 digital release of "Songs: The Music of Allen Toussaint" on Storyville Records (physical release is set for April 19). The album features six songs by Toussaint and one associated with him, as well as two original tribute pieces. It also marks the NOJO leadership debut of drummerartistic director Adonis Rose, who assumed the mantle in 2016 to navigate the 18-piece orchestra out of the troubled waters surrounding its now-departed founder.

Five-time Grammy Award-winner Michael McDonald performs at the Majestic Theatre (224 E. Houston St.) in San Antonio, TX on July 10, 2019 at 8PM. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 15 at 10AM.

Segerstrom Center for the arts presents Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling in a special holiday set “The Beautiful Day” - Kurt Elling Sings Christmas for two performances on December 15 at 7 pm and 9 pm. Declared by The New York Times as “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time,” Kurt Elling returns to the Center with a special program that will feature a repertoire of songs from his holiday album, The Beautiful Day. Elling says, “I knew I didn't want to make a 'religious' record, just as I knew I didn't want to make a standard, swingin' jazzy Christmas. I'm trying to expand my consciousness and embrace the goodness of the season, and I want to include everybody. For me, Christmas is a time of consideration, of pondering mysteries.”  Inventive and fresh, this very special program reimagines the sounds of Christmas, mixing traditional carols decked out in new arrangements with songs that are revelations and rediscovered treats. Elling wraps the universal themes of hope, light, wonder, mystery, and goodwill in musical packages full of delightful surprises.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents an incredible evening of jazz featuring the Branford Marsalis Quartet and Yuko Mabuchi Trio for one performance only on January 25, 2019 at 8:00pm. Led by Jazz Master and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis, the quartet was declared by the Associated Press as "one of the most cohesive, intense small jazz ensembles on the scene today." Quartet members include Joey Calderazzo, piano; Eric Revis, bass; and Justin Faulkner, drums. Opening the program is pianist Yuko Mabuchi whose trio of musicians includes Del Atkins on bass and Bobby Breton on drums.

The Nash is set to premiere a workshop specifically for novice musicians (ages 10-17) who want to learn how to solo in jazz combos or bands.

The oldest son from the First Family of jazz, Branford Marsalis has stayed the course, refining and expanding both his talents and horizons. While classical music is a growing portion of his universe, he has toured with Sting, collaborated with the Grateful Dead and Bruce Hornsby, served as Musical Director of The Tonight Show and hosted NPR's Jazz Set. He returns to Stage One with his jazz quartet, featuring saxophonist Marsalis with pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner.

Segerstrom Center for the arts presents Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling in a special holiday set “The Beautiful Day” - Kurt Elling Sings Christmas for two performances on December 15 at 7 pm and 9 pm. Declared by The New York Times as “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time,” Kurt Elling returns to the Center with a special program that will feature a repertoire of songs from his holiday album, The Beautiful Day. Elling says, “I knew I didn't want to make a 'religious' record, just as I knew I didn't want to make a standard, swingin' jazzy Christmas. I'm trying to expand my consciousness and embrace the goodness of the season, and I want to include everybody. For me, Christmas is a time of consideration, of pondering mysteries.”  Inventive and fresh, this very special program reimagines the sounds of Christmas, mixing traditional carols decked out in new arrangements with songs that are revelations and rediscovered treats. Elling wraps the universal themes of hope, light, wonder, mystery, and goodwill in musical packages full of delightful surprises.

The Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera presents the North American premiere of its heralded Voices of the Mountains program at Carnegie Hall in New York in a one-night-only performance on November 14, 2018. Voices of the Mountains is an interactive, multimedia concert featuring projections and inspired by the music of the Polish Highlands. The evening includes works by esteemed Polish composers Wojciech Kilar, Karol Szymanowski, Henryk Miko?aj Górecki, and Mieczys?aw Kar?owicz, in modern arrangements by the young Polish composer Jan Smoczy?ski.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announced the November 9 release of its latest album, American Originals: 1918, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording is inspired by America's cultural awakening at the end of the First World War one hundred years ago and the distinctly American musical styles that reflect the country's diversity. This album celebrates and reimagines popular songs of this era that remain fresh and relevant today with acclaimed musical collaborators including Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers and Pokey LaFarge. The 95th Cincinnati Pops album was recorded live at Cincinnati Music Hall November 10- 12, 2017, and is being released on the Orchestra's label, Fanfare Cincinnati.