Branford Marsalis’ “Braggtown: jazz for the ages

Jazz as a genre can span the range from big-band swing, melodic pop standards and mainstream funk-rock , to cool, bop, and way the hell out there. Branford Marsalis is one musician who not only understands, but also appreciates, the big ol' umbrella that the word represents. The oldest son in a jazz history-making family, the Brooklyn-born saxophonist has played the pure stuff as well as the pop stuff. He played with Miles, and led the "Tonight Show" band. He performed with his brother, Wynton, and toured with the Grateful Dead. Despite his dabbling with the "dark side" of pop music, though, no one questions his ability, nor his dedication to, the traditions of jazz.