Nov. 14, 2008 — About 60 or so students sat absolutely silent Friday morning, their instruments resting in their laps, their excitement contained. And no wonder — all eyes were on jazz great Branford Marsalis.
One of the most esteemed players on tenor and soprano saxophones, Marsalis conducted a music clinic Friday before his Saturday gig at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. Students from Ivanna Eudora Kean and Charlotte Amalie High Schools, Addelita Cancryn Junior High School, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and the University of the Virgin Islands had a rare opportunity to hear a top-notch professional up close and personal.
Branford is a member of the multi-talented New Orleans Marsalis family, led by pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis, their father; trumpeter and composer Wynton; and drummer Jason. Branford Marsalis's music covers the jazz landscape from traditional to modern to innovative. He became famous playing in his brother Wynton's quintet and as musical director for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on television.
Dressed in khakis, T-shirt and sneakers, Marsalis sat comfortably, listening intently to the student's questions.
The students simply wanted to know everything. Hands popped up: "How do you remember all those notes?" The answer: "Practice." Marsalis elaborated: "How do you remember all the lyrics to a popular song?"
Then again: "What's the most important thing you've done?" With a smile: "Right now, it's that my 22-year old son is in school to study, not to socialize."
"What's your happiest moment?" "Being in my brother's Wynton's band in 1981."
And, "What was your best long-term memory?"
Marsalis didn't pause: "When I've played my worst."
The students gasped at the answer. "Yes, when I play my worst — when you get sympathy applause. Because I go over my performance and I learn."
Before playing, Marsalis had taken some surgical tape out of his music case, and applied it to his lips. This did not go unnoticed. "What were you doing with that tape?" He explained he had to put it in his mouth so he wouldn't bite down on his lip. "I've lost four days playing because of that."
Marsalis spoke briefly about tone and technique. A female drummer from CAHS asked for hints. Marsalis, who played with the late, legendary drummer Art Blakey, asked if she knew what a paradiddle was. Nope.
"It's a series of notes," he said, "which you're not supposed to hear. It's supposed to sound like a single stroke." He allowed as to how it can't be learned overnight. "Practice," he smiled.
Marsalis said his children aren't allowed to hear anything other than jazz and classical music at home before they enter school. "Then they'll hear all the pop music, like 'High School Musical.' I can't listen to that stuff," he laughed. "I'm old and it gets on my nerves."
Marsalis got down to the business of playing music. He invited a student jazz ensemble to come and show their stuff.
Students from CAHS and IEK lined up and let go. At first, you could feel their nervousness. After a few minutes they loosened up under Marsalis' non-verbal encouragement. He asked what tune they'd like to play. "Summertime," said CAHS sax player Malachi Thomas. "You want to lead?' Marsalis asked. Replacing a mile-wide grin with his sax, Thomas launched into the George Gershwin tune.
After a while, Marsalis came in on the chorus. His authority was immediate; the room suddenly filled with professional music. Each musician was given a moment in time — a solo before a jazz great. You could almost feel their humility at the opportunity.
Afterwards, CAHS Jonte' Samuels, a sax player, was a bit overwhelmed. "This was an experience," he said. "Something I'll remember when I'm old."
Thomas, also a CAHS sax player, said," I love his music. I'm elated."
Eleven-year-old BCB student Tyne Karem Todman, had sat silent and serious throughout the performance, his sax, almost bigger than him, held at his side. His comment: "I don't know how he makes all that music without a book."
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