Saxophone player, composer and producer Branford Marsalis is this year's Artist in Residence at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Ever since the New Orleans born saxophonist recorded his debut album in 1984, he has been one of the leading figures in contemporary jazz. He has recorded numerous jazz albums, is equally comfortable with classical music, and has achieved huge commercial successes. Nowadays, as a producer of various albums, the eldest of the six children of the Marsalis family also feels completely at home behind the scenes of the music business. Branford Marsalis contributed to the conservation of old values and the development of the art of jazz. He also was one of the most important musicians who popularized jazz in the last few years. He performed with Sting, scored the hit single Another Day with Buckshot LeFonque and was musical director of Jay Leno's Tonight Show.
A trio performance with drummer Roy Haynes was high on the list of Branford Marsalis. Although Haynes' talent was eclipsed by others for a long time, nowadays he is considered, by musicians and jazz fans alike, the father of modern drumming. No wonder Marsalis wants to pay his respect to this extraordinary musician on Sunday night.
