Branford Marsalis (born 26 August 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana (United States)) is a saxophonist, jazz composer and actor. He is the brother of Wynton Marsalis.
In the 1970s, with Herbie Hancock, he played and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis.

In 1986, the saxophonist formed his quartet with pianist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Jeff Watts and bassist Bob Hurst and in 2001, Branford Marsalis won the award for best instrumental album of the year for Contemporary Jazz (2000), at the 43rd Grammy Awards.