Just last year, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Branford Marsalis, eldest of the six sons of the Marsalis family, gave a memorable concert in Rotterdam. One day after his concert in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, he traveled with his quartet down to the Lantaren/Venster Theater to promote his latest album Braggtown. Stardust filled the air of the theater. If applause was all that counted, Marsalis wouldn't have had to play a note after getting on stage. The New Orleans-born saxophonist proved to be a versatile musician right from the moment that he recorded his first album back in 1984. He has dozens of jazz albums to his name and is at least as accomplished in classical music, as well as having achieved huge commercial success with Buckshot LeFonque. Marsalis' quartet with pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts has been together for eight years. The band is a typical democratically operating working band. Its contemporary jazz overwhelms listeners with its depth, intelligent twists and fiery variations. But Marsalis does more than just make music. After a period as artistic director of Colombia Jazz Records, in 2002 the saxophonist made the decision to set up his own recording label Marsalis Music.
