Marshall McDonald Talks with Branford Marsalis (Full Length)
Docsaxman
9,787 views
Continuing my Isolation Jazz interview Series, I did a session with my buddy and master saxophonist, Branford Marsalis. We talk about practice, where the beat is, jazz vs improvisation, and life in general. From melody, to Sting, to life itself, we get on up in it.
This interview is also broken on segments for easy viewing, thanks for visiting, please hit subscribe and visit http://www.marshallmcdonald.com
Marshall McDonald is an:
Official D'Addario Artist
Silversteins Works Artist
19 Comments
@dienowska 9 months ago
I always learn a lot from Branford. He articulates his unique ideas really well.
@theblueriverjazzbandmusic2540 4 years ago (edited)
SOO LOVED this interview! Marshall-especially when you asked about time feel, and Branford’s time feel explained relative to jazz history. Branford’s take on music today is so real, and so “spot on” without being bitter-more “it’s the way it is now”. Branford’s knowledge and explanations of everything relative to jazz history is terrific. The discussion of Sanborn was revelatory and so fun to listen to. Wonderful.Thanks for a terrific interview.
@blamelouis 3 years ago
Brilliant watching you guys hang …obviously very tight relationship..the most relaxed I’ve seen Branford..love his solo in Decoy even though he probably hates it 😊
@tawananyashamutekwe6725 5 years ago (edited)
He is damn right on the importance of understanding the audience's body language and temperament. Many people who attend these concerts are not bona fide fans of the music but mere joy riders and fun seekers. I once attended a Manu Dibango concert back home in Zimbabwe where he ended up playing Louis Armstrong's standard When The Saints Go Marching In a record three times! The audience went crazy and kept requesting for an enco instead of listening to vintage Makossa-jazz which was Dibango's specialty. Another such concert was Courtney Pine's Harare performance on a freezing winter night when three quarters of the audience prematurely left the show before the official end because they could not stomach avante guarde jazz which was completely alien to their unsophisticated taste.
@jurchenaz4276 5 years ago (edited)
After I watched this a Timex sponsored all-star jazz concert from 1958 featuring Lionel Hampton himself showed up on my YouTube feed! Looking forward to seeing what Gallo wines has to offer next.
@unacarafea567 6 months ago (edited)
"Today's new jazz musicians are too technocratic in their playing and not into the music". I've said that so many times.
Branford is one of the few musicians that isn't shy about telling you, "I know you've been told you can play the hell out of that horn but you can't. Here's why......". That is one of the most helpful things a consummate pro, non-bs horn player like Branford can tell you when you think you've been convinced that you are flyin' high. Brings you down to earth and makes you rethink your playing.
Branford is one of the few musicians that isn't shy about telling you, "I know you've been told you can play the hell out of that horn but you can't. Here's why......". That is one of the most helpful things a consummate pro, non-bs horn player like Branford can tell you when you think you've been convinced that you are flyin' high. Brings you down to earth and makes you rethink your playing.
@kennmiller3278 1 year ago
What the hell is up with Brandon’s office, lol! I love it…it’s different every interview.
@williampierce2429 5 years ago (edited)
Branford, and most guys from New Orleans, see, hear and feel the music differently! Not better but deeper. IMO it's because music is a constant part of the culture in NOLA. There might be other similar cities but you can feel really feel it down there.......
@nyvcr502 3 years ago
Lol.I drank ripple and bali hi. “This wine good boy” that’s a line from the commercial. Md20/20. White port and lemon juice.
@adamglasser-t1s 2 years ago
@quadrivium - I have heard live Branford Marsalis on 2 occasions in London. In the 80s he and Wynton played at the Royal Festival Hall Miles Quintet repertoire with Herbie Ron and Tony - one of the greatest live performances I've ever heard so deeply did they embody spirit of Miles and Wayne ineractint with that sublime rhythm section.
I next heard Branford at Ronnie Scott's with Joey Calderazzo at Ronnie Scott's in a project where they played the entire Love Supreme album - another gig I will remember all my life because of the sheer depth of soul with which he explored and brought to life that hallowed the Coltrane territory.
It is a big mistake to go down the path of dissing Branford because he 'played with Sting' blah blah ( besides which his fills in a hit like 'If You Love Somebody set them Free' are an object lesson in how to accompany and serve a great song as a sideman).
Rethink your judgements quad -
And celebrate the fact that he embodies in his playing just as deep an intuitive and hard won grasp of the soul of jazz traditions as his brother but from his own perspective and imprimatur.
I next heard Branford at Ronnie Scott's with Joey Calderazzo at Ronnie Scott's in a project where they played the entire Love Supreme album - another gig I will remember all my life because of the sheer depth of soul with which he explored and brought to life that hallowed the Coltrane territory.
It is a big mistake to go down the path of dissing Branford because he 'played with Sting' blah blah ( besides which his fills in a hit like 'If You Love Somebody set them Free' are an object lesson in how to accompany and serve a great song as a sideman).
Rethink your judgements quad -
And celebrate the fact that he embodies in his playing just as deep an intuitive and hard won grasp of the soul of jazz traditions as his brother but from his own perspective and imprimatur.
@romeleone9429 5 years ago
Soloist do play too long, everyone plays the same standards no one writes any new swing songs with modern day subject matter. Need more singers this is a vocal tradition let's not forget. Play the song make the people dance and keep those solos short .
Marshall McDonald Talks with Branford Marsalis (Full Length)
Docsaxman
9,787 views
Continuing my Isolation Jazz interview Series, I did a session with my buddy and master saxophonist, Branford Marsalis. We talk about practice, where the beat is, jazz vs improvisation, and life in general. From melody, to Sting, to life itself, we get on up in it.
This interview is also broken on segments for easy viewing, thanks for visiting, please hit subscribe and visit http://www.marshallmcdonald.com
Marshall McDonald is an:
Official D'Addario Artist
Silversteins Works Artist