Renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis, one of jazz’s most influential artists, is set to make his highly anticipated Blue Note Records debut with Belonging, releasing on March 28. The album is a full-length interpretation of Keith Jarrett’s groundbreaking 1974 ECM recording of the same name, originally introducing the pianist’s European Quartet. This marks Marsalis’ first new release since 2019 with his celebrated longstanding quartet—pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner. The lead track, “Spiral Dance,” is now available for streaming and download.
A Personal Journey into Belonging
Marsalis recalls that in 1974, when Belonging first came out, his musical interests lay elsewhere. “I was a freshman in high school, listening to R&B,” he admits. “I didn’t even know Belonging existed.” That changed when he deepened his jazz studies. Initially familiar only with Jarrett’s solo piano works, Marsalis was introduced to the European Quartet’s sound by pianist Kenny Kirkland. “We were on a plane in the ’80s when Kenny put his headphones on my ears and played [Jarrett’s 1979 album] My Song,” he recalls. “When he tried to take them back after five minutes, I slapped his hand away. When we got to the next city, I bought every album by that band.”
The idea to record Belonging in full took root while preparing their 2019 album, The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul, which featured “The Windup” from Belonging. “We were all listening to ‘The Windup’ for the last record, and Revis suggested we record the whole album—it’s just that great, and we could really do something special with it.” When the pandemic delayed their plans, the group reconvened with the same enthusiasm once it ended.
Honoring the Original, Without Imitation
Marsalis’ approach to Belonging follows his philosophy on reinterpreting jazz classics, as he has done with works by Charles Mingus, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and John Coltrane. “On the composition ‘Belonging,’ I naturally played some of the things Jan Garbarek did on the original,” he says. “But we never intended to make a tribute album. I always focus on the entire record, not just the saxophone parts, and the most striking thing about Belonging is how seamlessly it all fits together.”
Unlike Jarrett’s European Quartet, which came together for the first time in the Belonging sessions, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has a long-established rapport. With Revis joining in 1996, Calderazzo in 1999, and Faulkner in 2009, their deep musical chemistry allows for an unparalleled level of interplay. “The biggest advantage we have is 50 years of history and experience that Keith’s band didn’t have at the time. We’ve been able to absorb and process all of that.”
Marsalis sees his group as more akin to a chamber ensemble than a traditional jazz band. “The whole purpose of this group is to create a level of cohesion and interplay that feels organic,” he explains. “At the end of the day, what any audience wants is a great melody and a compelling rhythm. No matter where our journey takes us, as long as we keep that essence, people will come along for the ride.”
The Branford Marsalis Quartet will embark on an extensive North American and European tour in the coming months. Visit branfordmarsalis.com for tour details and upcoming announcements.
About Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis is a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. A member of the legendary Marsalis jazz family, he first gained recognition as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and later as part of his brother Wynton’s quintet. He has led his own quartet for over three decades, pushing the boundaries of jazz with an uncompromising artistic vision. Marsalis has also explored classical music, worked with Sting, and served as the musical director for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His ability to seamlessly traverse genres while maintaining a deep-rooted jazz foundation has cemented his place as one of the most important musicians of his generation.
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