Profile Text
Marsalis in 2011, photo by Debby Wong /Bigstock.com
Place of Birth: Breaux Bridge, St. Martin, Louisiana, U.S.
Date of Birth: August 26, 1960
Ethnicity: African-American, Louisiana Creole [African, French], small amount of German
Branford Marsalis is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader.
He is the son of Dolores (Ferdinand), a jazz singer, and Ellis Louis Marsalis, Jr., a jazz pianist and educator. His siblings are jazz musicians Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis III, and Delfeayo Marsalis. He is married to Nicole.
A DNA test whose results were displayed on the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2012) stated that Branford’s genetic ancestry is:
*62% African *31% European *7% Native American
*62% African *31% European *7% Native American
Branford’s paternal grandfather was Ellis Louis Marsalis (the son of Simeon “Simmie” Black/Marsalis and Rosa Gayden). Branford’s grandfather Ellis was born in Summit Pike, Mississippi, and was a prominent businessperson and social activist. Simeon was born in Summit Pike, the son of Elizabeth/Lizzie Montgomery, and likely of Isaac Black. Marsalis was the name of Simeon’s stepfather, Joseph Marsalis.
Branford’s paternal grandmother was named Florence Marie Robertson. Florence was born in New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.
Branford’s maternal grandfather was Delfeayo Joseph Ferdinand (the son of Louis Ferdinand and Helen Breaux/Breaud). Delfeayo was born in St. James Parish, Louisiana, and was of Louisiana Creole descent. Louis was the son of Louis Ferdinand and Celina. Helen was the daughter of Delfeayo Breaux and Louisa Malberry.
Branford’s maternal grandmother was Leona Learson (the daughter of Richard Learson and Clotilde/Clothilde Eugene). Leona was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Richard was born in New Orleans, the son of John Joseph Learson and Leontine Montarlet. John’s parents were Johann/John Reinhard Learson, a German immigrant, and a free woman of color, Myrthé/Mertay Valentin/Valentine; the two had seven children together. Branford’s great-grandmother Clothilde was born in New Orleans, the daughter of C. Eugene and Mary Rose Dejan.
Sources: https://www.youtube.com
Genealogy of Branford Marsalis (through his brother, Wynton Marsalis) – http://www.wargs.com
Genealogy of Branford Marsalis (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Branford’s father (focusing on his own father’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com