Branford studied with Alvin Batiste at Baton Rouge's Southern University in 1978, completing his studies at Berklee School of Music, between '79 & '81.
He began his professional career in the early 1980s playing with Art Blakey's big band (playing baritone), Clark Terry's band, and Blakey's Jazz Messengers. From 1982 to 1985 he played with his brother Wynton Marsalis's group, then left to play in Sting's backup band. In 1985, he appeared at Live Aid as Sting's only accompaniment (later joined by Phil Collins). He also toured with Miles Davis in one of the latter's last bands. In 1986 he set up his own group. From 1992 to 1995 he was musical director of the Tonight Show Band. He then formed the Buckshot LeFonque project which combined jazz with rhythm and blues, hip hop, and rock. Throughout the early 1990s, Branford had a series of guest appearances with the Grateful Dead, which are among the most popular performances in that band's history.
Creator of the record company Marsalis Music.
He is the oldest of the six Marsalis brothers, four of whom are jazz musicians, as is their father Ellis Marsalis. He is most prominently known in jazz as a tenor and soprano saxophonist and a most talented brilliant musical innovator among his brothers. Branford is a Life Scout and his brother Wynton is an Eagle Scout.
Official web: www.branfordmarsalis.com
Evidence
Branford Marsalis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pra matear saudade nesta solidão
Cada pôr de sol dói feito uma brasa
Queimando lembranças no meu coração
Vem a lua aos poucos iluminar o rancho
Com estrelas frias que se vão depois
Nada é mais triste neste mundo louco
Que matear com a ausência de quem já se foi
Pra quem não se basta pra viver tão só
A insônia do catre vara a madrugada
Neste fim de mundo que nem Deus tem dó
Então me pergunto neste desatino
Se esse é o meu destino ou Deus se enganou
Todo o desencanto para um só campeiro
Que de tanto amor se desconsolou
Que desgosto o mate cevado de mágoas
Pra quem não se basta pra viver tão só
A insônia do catre vara a madrugada
Neste fim de mundo que nem Deus tem dó
These lyrics are actually not in English, but in Portuguese, and they are from a different song called "Mateando Saudade" by Brazilian musician Luiz Marenco. The lyrics describe the feelings of loneliness and heartbreak of someone who is sitting alone on their porch, drinking mate (a traditional South American drink) while missing someone who has passed away. The sunset and stars only intensify the pain and memories. The insomnia and sadness are further emphasized by the lack of empathy from the world around the person ("neste fim de mundo que nem Deus tem dó" - in this end of the world where not even God has pity). The singer questions whether this is their destiny or if God made a mistake, but ultimately, they feel alone in their grief, despite the comfort of the mate.
Line by Line Meaning
Meus desassossegos sentam na varanda
My anxieties sit on the porch
Pra matear saudade nesta solidão
To drink mate tea and feel nostalgia in this solitude
Cada pôr de sol dói feito uma brasa
Each sunset hurts like a burning ember
Queimando lembranças no meu coração
Burning memories in my heart
Vem a lua aos poucos iluminar o rancho
The moon slowly illuminates the ranch
Com estrelas frias que se vão depois
With cold stars that disappear afterwards
Nada é mais triste neste mundo louco
Nothing is sadder in this crazy world
Que matear com a ausência de quem já se foi
Than drinking mate tea with the absence of those who have gone
Que desgosto o mate sevado de mágoas
The sadness of drinking bitter mate tea for those who cannot live alone
Pra quem não se basta pra viver tão só
For those who cannot manage to be on their own
A insônia do catre vara a madrugada
The insomnia of the cot pierces the dawn
Neste fim de mundo que nem Deus tem dó
In this end of the world where not even God shows mercy
Então me pergunto neste desatino
Then I wonder in this madness
Se esse é o meu destino ou Deus se enganou
If this is my destiny or if God made a mistake
Todo o desencanto para um só campeiro
All the disillusionment for just one ranger
Que de tanto amor se desconsolou
Who got so sad from so much love
Que desgosto o mate cevado de mágoas
The sadness of drinking bitter mate tea for those who cannot live alone
Pra quem não se basta pra viver tão só
For those who cannot manage to be on their own
A insônia do catre vara a madrugada
The insomnia of the cot pierces the dawn
Neste fim de mundo que nem Deus tem dó
In this end of the world where not even God shows mercy
Writer(s): THELONIOUS MONK, MONK THELONIOUS
Contributed by Julia P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.