1980 | While still a student, toured Europe playing alto and baritone saxophone in a large ensemble led by drummer Art Blakey |
1981 | Joined his brother Wynton in Blakey's Jazz Messengers and on a Japanese tour with Herbie Hancock |
1984 | Released first recording, Scenes in the City |
1985 | Made his film debut in the documentary "Bring on the Night" |
1987 | Feature acting debut, "Throw Momma From the Train" |
1988 | Cast as Jordam in Spike Lee's musical-drama "School Daze" |
1990 | Composed the soundtrack for "Mo' Better Blues" |
1992 | Acted in the Showtime 30-Minute Movie, "Without a Pass" |
1992 | Made leader of the Tonight Show Band, on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (NBC) |
1992 | Received a Grammy for the recording "I Heard You Twice The First Time" where he teamed with B.B.King, John Lee Hooker and Rip Tip Johnson |
1997 | Served as Creative Consultant and producer for jazz recordings with Columbia Records |
2000 | Toured with The Branford Marsalis Quartet and earned a Grammy for its album Contemporary Jazz |
2002 | Founded his own Marsalis Music label |
2005 | Teamed with Harry Connick, Jr to create the concept of a Musicians' Village in New Orleans' Upper Ninth Ward, with the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music as the Village's centerpiece |
2010 | Composed the music for the Broadway revival of August Wilson's "Fences"; earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score |
