Marsalis to play at Jazz Fest

And heeeeeeeeere's Branford. Branford Marsalis, of The Tonight Show fame, will be the featured artist at the University's fourth annual November Jazz Festival, members of the Social Planning and Events Committee announced. Marsalis, a saxophone player who both composes music and performs, will appear with blues guitarist Albert Collins and blues vocalist Linda Hopkins, both of whom are also accomplished jazz artists, said Jeffrey Zarnow, co-chairperson of the festival. Marsalis is one of the "premiere jazz artists of today," he said. "The main goal of our festival is to expose and educate people about blues and jazz," Zarnow, a College sophomore, said yesterday. The festival, which will be held November 4 to 7, is sponsored by SPEC. "Branford loves the idea of exposing the younger generation to jazz," Zarnow said. Marsalis played at the University two years ago, but Zarnow said the musician has a "new image and new-found fame." SPEC members said they are excited that Marsalis will be playing at this year's festival, because people who don't normally listen to jazz or blues music recognize his name. "A lot of people who aren't into jazz have heard of Branford," Zarnow said. "[His] name is more recognizable to students." Marsalis recently joined The Tonight Show as musical director when Jay Leno succeeded Johnny Carson as host, Zarnow said. He has also played saxophone for Sting, The Grateful Dead and The Samples and written music for movies such as "Mo' Better Blues" and "Sneakers." Marsalis is the son of jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, a pianist who was featured at last year's festival. The younger Marsalis will be paid more this year than his father was for last year's appearance, SPEC officials said. " ranford is a much more mainstream performer," Jon Silber, co-chairperson of the Jazz Festival, said. "He's got a flair for what he's doing." Marsalis released his latest blues album last month and will use his concert at the University to publicize it, Zarnow said. "He's fusing the blues with his own New Orleans jazz sound," said Silber, a College senior. SPEC members said they hope students buy enough tickets to fill Irvine Auditorium, where Marsalis will play Saturday, the last night of the festival. Tickets will be sold for $12 for students through the Annenberg School beginning October 12. Zarnow said SPEC plans to donate 80 tickets through the Kite and Key Society to West Philadelphia high school students and 20 tickets to Dixon House, a community center in Southwest Philadelphia members. A blues jam will also be held during the festival which will feature local Philadelphia musicians. Zarnow said he hopes students will also become inolved in the jam session. Hedyeh Parsia, publicity manager for the Jazz Festival, said she is excited for the festival and hopes people who are not necessarily jazz fans will attend. "People are being really responsive [because] the names [of the performers] are so big," said Parsia, a College sophomore. "You don't need to like it [jazz], you just need to respect it."