Marsalis Music
Encyclopedia
Marsalis Music is a Cambridge, Massachusetts
-based record label
founded in 2002 by saxophonist Branford Marsalis
, one of the most celebrated jazz
musicians of the past 30 years. The label was formed to allow Marsalis and other musicians to document their music free of the commercial constraints imposed by other record labels. In its first six years of operations, Marsalis Music has issued 19 compact discs and three DVDs, drawing from a roster that includes Marsalis and his quartet, the bands of Miguel Zenón
, Doug Wamble
, Claudia Acuña
, Joey Calderazzo
and (for instrumental music only) Harry Connick, Jr. All of the label’s artists have substantially expanded upon their performances with lectures, clinics and other presentations designed to bring players and listeners more directly into the music. Vocalist Claudia Acuña
is the most recent signing, and will released her first disc, En Este Momento on the label in 2009.
The label’s catalogue also includes the special projects The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration, the only recorded performance of the entire Marsalis family (father Ellis, sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason), and Romare Bearden Revealed, a tribute to the visual artist created in conjunction with a traveling exhibition of his work curated by the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
In 2006, the label inaugurated the Honors Series in order to pay tribute to underappreciated veteran musicians. The series has featured drummers Michael Carvin
, Jimmy Cobb
and Bob French
and the late clarinetist Alvin Batiste
.
Marsalis Music has also sponsors the Marsalis Jams program through its non-profit affiliate Music Education Initiative, Inc. Marsalis Jams brings working ensembles to high school and college campuses throughout the United States
for mini-residencies that include workshops, performances and jam sessions. In 2008, the program began an ongoing affiliation with Berklee College, Marsalis Berklee Jams, which brings a leading ensemble of young professional musicians to the Berklee campus each semester.
The label has also been active in efforts to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
. Its major focus has been New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village, a project in the city’s Upper Ninth Ward that allows displaced musicians and other residents to own single-family homes and elder-friendly duplexes. Musicians’ Village will also be the site of the Ellis Marsalis Center for the Arts, a cultural resource for the village and the wider community.
Marsalis Music receives distribution and marketing support both in the United States
and internationally from Redeye Distribution
.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
-based record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
founded in 2002 by saxophonist Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
, one of the most celebrated jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musicians of the past 30 years. The label was formed to allow Marsalis and other musicians to document their music free of the commercial constraints imposed by other record labels. In its first six years of operations, Marsalis Music has issued 19 compact discs and three DVDs, drawing from a roster that includes Marsalis and his quartet, the bands of Miguel Zenón
Miguel Zenon
Miguel Zenón is an alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader.-Biography:Miguel Zenón was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While studying at the Escuela Libre de Musica in San Juan, he won a scholarship to the “Berklee in Puerto Rico” program of the Berklee College of Music and a scholarship to...
, Doug Wamble
Doug Wamble
Doug Wamble is a North American vocalist, guitarist, and composer.-Biography:...
, Claudia Acuña
Claudia Acuña
Claudia Acuña is a Chilean vocalist. Born in Santiago and raised in Concepcion, she was inspired as a child to perform a variety of music, including folk, pop and opera, by Victor Jara and Violetta Parra. Her attention turned to American popular music and jazz at the age of 15, when she first...
, Joey Calderazzo
Joey Calderazzo
Joey Calderazzo is a jazz pianist.Inspired by a friend who lived next door, Calderazzo began his piano studies at age seven. He progressed rapidly in a house where other family members were also playing drums and singing, and at 14 became the youngest member of brother Gene Calderazzo's rock band...
and (for instrumental music only) Harry Connick, Jr. All of the label’s artists have substantially expanded upon their performances with lectures, clinics and other presentations designed to bring players and listeners more directly into the music. Vocalist Claudia Acuña
Claudia Acuña
Claudia Acuña is a Chilean vocalist. Born in Santiago and raised in Concepcion, she was inspired as a child to perform a variety of music, including folk, pop and opera, by Victor Jara and Violetta Parra. Her attention turned to American popular music and jazz at the age of 15, when she first...
is the most recent signing, and will released her first disc, En Este Momento on the label in 2009.
The label’s catalogue also includes the special projects The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration, the only recorded performance of the entire Marsalis family (father Ellis, sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason), and Romare Bearden Revealed, a tribute to the visual artist created in conjunction with a traveling exhibition of his work curated by the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 2006, the label inaugurated the Honors Series in order to pay tribute to underappreciated veteran musicians. The series has featured drummers Michael Carvin
Michael Carvin
Michael W. Carvin is an American jazz drummer. He has performed with Mickey Bass, Charles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, B. B. King, Jackie McLean, Pharoah Sanders, Lonnie Liston Smith, and Clive Stevens.- Notes :...
, Jimmy Cobb
Jimmy Cobb
-External links:* - includes full discography* * * * * * *...
and Bob French
Bob French
Robert "Bob" French is a United States jazz drummer and a former radio show host at WWOZ, from New Orleans, Louisiana.French has led The Tuxedo Jazz Band since 1977. -Career:As a child French took drumming lessons from Louis Barbarin...
and the late clarinetist Alvin Batiste
Alvin Batiste
Alvin Batiste was an avant garde jazz clarinetist born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He taught at his own jazz institute at Southern University in Baton Rouge...
.
Marsalis Music has also sponsors the Marsalis Jams program through its non-profit affiliate Music Education Initiative, Inc. Marsalis Jams brings working ensembles to high school and college campuses throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for mini-residencies that include workshops, performances and jam sessions. In 2008, the program began an ongoing affiliation with Berklee College, Marsalis Berklee Jams, which brings a leading ensemble of young professional musicians to the Berklee campus each semester.
The label has also been active in efforts to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
. Its major focus has been New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village, a project in the city’s Upper Ninth Ward that allows displaced musicians and other residents to own single-family homes and elder-friendly duplexes. Musicians’ Village will also be the site of the Ellis Marsalis Center for the Arts, a cultural resource for the village and the wider community.
Marsalis Music receives distribution and marketing support both in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and internationally from Redeye Distribution
Redeye Distribution
Redeye Distribution is an independent music distribution company founded in 1996 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Redeye currently distributes such labels as Marsalis Music, Barsuk Records, Warp Records, Daptone Records, Luaka Bop Records, Kill Rock Stars, Sargent House, Hydra Head Records, The...
.
Artists
- Harry Connick, Jr.Harry Connick, Jr.Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
(instrumentalInstrumentalAn instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
only) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
- Branford Marsalis QuartetBranford Marsalis Quartet-Current members:*Branford Marsalis – saxophones*Joey Calderazzo - piano*Eric Revis - bass*Justin Faulkner - Drums -Past members:*Jeff "Tain" Watts - Drums *Kenny Kirkland - Piano *Robert Hurst - Bass...
- The Marsalis Family
- Miguel ZenónMiguel ZenonMiguel Zenón is an alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader.-Biography:Miguel Zenón was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While studying at the Escuela Libre de Musica in San Juan, he won a scholarship to the “Berklee in Puerto Rico” program of the Berklee College of Music and a scholarship to...
- Claudia AcuñaClaudia AcuñaClaudia Acuña is a Chilean vocalist. Born in Santiago and raised in Concepcion, she was inspired as a child to perform a variety of music, including folk, pop and opera, by Victor Jara and Violetta Parra. Her attention turned to American popular music and jazz at the age of 15, when she first...
Discography
- Footsteps of Our Fathers (2002) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
- Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration (2003) - The MarsalisMarsalisMarsalis is the surname of an American family of jazz musicians including :*Ellis Marsalis, pianist; father of the others listed here*Branford Marsalis, saxophonist**Marsalis Music, a record label founded by Branford Marsalis...
Family - Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration (2003) (DVD) - The MarsalisMarsalisMarsalis is the surname of an American family of jazz musicians including :*Ellis Marsalis, pianist; father of the others listed here*Branford Marsalis, saxophonist**Marsalis Music, a record label founded by Branford Marsalis...
Family - Country Libations (2003) - Doug Wamble
- Romare BeardenRomare BeardenRomare Bearden was an African American artist and writer. He worked in several media including cartoons, oils, and collage.-Education:...
Revealed (2003) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... - Other HoursOther Hours : Connick on Piano, Volume 1Other Hours: Connick On Piano Volume 1 is a Jazz instrumental album, by American artist Harry Connick, Jr., released in 2003. The album features Connick on piano in the context of a small jazz group...
(2003) - Harry Connick, Jr - Ceremonial (2004) - Miguel Zenón
- Haiku (2004) - Joey CalderazzoJoey CalderazzoJoey Calderazzo is a jazz pianist.Inspired by a friend who lived next door, Calderazzo began his piano studies at age seven. He progressed rapidly in a house where other family members were also playing drums and singing, and at 14 became the youngest member of brother Gene Calderazzo's rock band...
- Eternal (2004) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
- ColtraneJohn ColtraneJohn William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
's A Love Supreme Live (2004) (DVD) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... - Bluestate (2005) - Doug Wamble
- Jíbaro (2005) - Miguel Zenón
- OccasionOccasion : Connick on Piano, Volume 2Occasion: Connick on Piano, Volume 2 is an instrumental album recorded in 2005, presenting Harry Connick, Jr. on piano and Branford Marsalis on saxophone, playing their own jazz compositions....
(2005) - Harry Connick, Jr.Harry Connick, Jr.Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with... - A Duo OccasionA Duo OccasionA Duo Occasion is live performance DVD with Harry Connick, Jr. on piano and Branford Marsalis on saxophone. Recorded at the Library and Archives Canada as part of the 25th Anniversary of the Ottawa Jazz Festival on June 24, 2005....
(2005) (DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
) - Harry Connick, Jr.Harry Connick, Jr.Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
& Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born... - Marsalis Music Honors Series: Michael Carvin (2006) - Michael CarvinMichael CarvinMichael W. Carvin is an American jazz drummer. He has performed with Mickey Bass, Charles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, B. B. King, Jackie McLean, Pharoah Sanders, Lonnie Liston Smith, and Clive Stevens.- Notes :...
- Marsalis Music Honors Series: Jimmy CobbMarsalis Music Honors Series: Jimmy CobbMarsalis Music Honors Series: Jimmy Cobb is an album by jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb. Marsalis Music and Rounder Records jointly released the album in 2006 as part of the Marsalis Music Honors series...
(2006) - Jimmy CobbJimmy Cobb-External links:* - includes full discography* * * * * * *... - BraggtownBraggtownBraggtown is an album released by The Branford Marsalis Quartet in 2006.The album, following the 2004 Grammy-nominated Eternal, draws upon a world of inspirations, including John Coltrane, a 17th Century English composer, an American Indian Warrior and a Japanese horror film...
(2006) - Branford Marsalis QuartetBranford Marsalis Quartet-Current members:*Branford Marsalis – saxophones*Joey Calderazzo - piano*Eric Revis - bass*Justin Faulkner - Drums -Past members:*Jeff "Tain" Watts - Drums *Kenny Kirkland - Piano *Robert Hurst - Bass... - Chanson du Vieux Carré (2007) - Harry Connick, Jr.Harry Connick, Jr.Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
- Marsalis Music Honors Series: Alvin Batiste (2007) - Alvin BatisteAlvin BatisteAlvin Batiste was an avant garde jazz clarinetist born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He taught at his own jazz institute at Southern University in Baton Rouge...
- Marsalis Music Honors Series: Bob French (2007) - Bob FrenchBob FrenchRobert "Bob" French is a United States jazz drummer and a former radio show host at WWOZ, from New Orleans, Louisiana.French has led The Tuxedo Jazz Band since 1977. -Career:As a child French took drumming lessons from Louis Barbarin...
- Amanecer (2007) - Joey CalderazzoJoey CalderazzoJoey Calderazzo is a jazz pianist.Inspired by a friend who lived next door, Calderazzo began his piano studies at age seven. He progressed rapidly in a house where other family members were also playing drums and singing, and at 14 became the youngest member of brother Gene Calderazzo's rock band...
- Awake (2008) - Miguel ZenónMiguel ZenonMiguel Zenón is an alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader.-Biography:Miguel Zenón was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While studying at the Escuela Libre de Musica in San Juan, he won a scholarship to the “Berklee in Puerto Rico” program of the Berklee College of Music and a scholarship to...
- Metamorphosen (2009) - Branford Marsalis QuartetBranford Marsalis Quartet-Current members:*Branford Marsalis – saxophones*Joey Calderazzo - piano*Eric Revis - bass*Justin Faulkner - Drums -Past members:*Jeff "Tain" Watts - Drums *Kenny Kirkland - Piano *Robert Hurst - Bass...
- En Este Momento (2009) - Claudia AcuñaClaudia AcuñaClaudia Acuña is a Chilean vocalist. Born in Santiago and raised in Concepcion, she was inspired as a child to perform a variety of music, including folk, pop and opera, by Victor Jara and Violetta Parra. Her attention turned to American popular music and jazz at the age of 15, when she first...
- Music Redeems (2010) - The MarsalisMarsalisMarsalis is the surname of an American family of jazz musicians including :*Ellis Marsalis, pianist; father of the others listed here*Branford Marsalis, saxophonist**Marsalis Music, a record label founded by Branford Marsalis...
Family - Songs of Mirth and Melancholy (2011) - Branford MarsalisBranford MarsalisBranford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque.-Biography:Marsalis was born...
and Joey CalderazzoJoey CalderazzoJoey Calderazzo is a jazz pianist.Inspired by a friend who lived next door, Calderazzo began his piano studies at age seven. He progressed rapidly in a house where other family members were also playing drums and singing, and at 14 became the youngest member of brother Gene Calderazzo's rock band... - Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook (2011) - Miguel ZenónMiguel ZenonMiguel Zenón is an alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader.-Biography:Miguel Zenón was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While studying at the Escuela Libre de Musica in San Juan, he won a scholarship to the “Berklee in Puerto Rico” program of the Berklee College of Music and a scholarship to...
- Music from The Happy Elf (2011) - Harry Connick, Jr.Harry Connick, Jr.Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...