One of the things that I loved about listening to Miles Davis is that Miles always had an instinct for which musicians were great for what situations. He could always pick a band, and that was the thing that separated…

Quote by Branford Marsalis

Topics: Branford Marsalis Quotes

I'm not going to play funk licks on a jazz album. That makes no sense.

I'm not going to play funk licks on a jazz album. That makes no sense.

I gave up my base in popular culture when I left the Tonight Show.

I gave up my base in popular culture when I left the Tonight Show.

What is jazz? It, It's almost like asking, What is French? Jazz is a musical...

What is jazz? It, It's almost like asking, What is French? Jazz is a musical...

You hear it in your brain. Whatever makes sense. Some songs work well as quartet...

You hear it in your brain. Whatever makes sense. Some songs work well as quartet...

I suspect that we might actually start selling some records with these artists in about...

I suspect that we might actually start selling some records with these artists in about...

My dad was a musician, it was just what he did, like another guy's dad...

My dad was a musician, it was just what he did, like another guy's dad...

One of the things that's clear to me from interviews that I've read is that...

One of the things that's clear to me from interviews that I've read is that...

I think that if you keep banging at the door all you need is a...

I think that if you keep banging at the door all you need is a...

We played it as long as we could play it on that CD and I...

We played it as long as we could play it on that CD and I...

If you listen to a lot of the songs that are popular now, there's very...

If you listen to a lot of the songs that are popular now, there's very...

A lot of musicians have a tough time hearing what we're doing in a trio...

A lot of musicians have a tough time hearing what we're doing in a trio...

The biggest problem with American music right now, is that kids don't listen. They come...

The biggest problem with American music right now, is that kids don't listen. They come...

There's a certain kind of motion and pacing that our music has, and this just...

There's a certain kind of motion and pacing that our music has, and this just...

It's something that jazz has gotten away from, and it's unfortunate. Players aren't physical anymore.

It's something that jazz has gotten away from, and it's unfortunate. Players aren't physical anymore.

If you're going to use standards as criteria for signing musicians, you can sign thousands....

If you're going to use standards as criteria for signing musicians, you can sign thousands....

Pop doesn't really look back. It can't. What makes pop work is simplicity.

Pop doesn't really look back. It can't. What makes pop work is simplicity.

If I were like a lot of other people, then it wouldn't be fun; but...

If I were like a lot of other people, then it wouldn't be fun; but...

If it's not going to sound like Terrapin Station, what's the point of playing Terrapin...

If it's not going to sound like Terrapin Station, what's the point of playing Terrapin...

The piano is the X factor. People have a tough time following the structures when...

The piano is the X factor. People have a tough time following the structures when...

When you're dealing with music without words, titles are more a means of identification than...

When you're dealing with music without words, titles are more a means of identification than...