Saxophonist extraordinaire Branford Marsalis may be best known for his mid-1980's stint with Sting or his short-lived, early-1990's tenure as bandleader on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." But, after growing up in New Orleans, the oldest son in the "first family of jazz," Marsalis has spent most of his career playing straight-ahead, hard-bop jazz. He paid his dues with Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, and his brother, Wynton, before forming his own groups. The three-time Grammy Award winner's muscular sax style can be heard on over two dozen albums as a leader and countless others as a sideman. When he hits the Nazareth Arts Center stage, he'll be joined by his excellent quartet, featuring Joey Calderazzo on piano, bassist Eric Revis, and Justin Faulkner on drums.
Branford Marsalis plays Thursday, October 25, 7:30 p.m. at Nazareth College Arts Center's Callahan Theater, 4245 East Avenue. $45-$75. 389-2170. naz.edu/arts-center; branfordmarsalis.com.