Buckshot LeFonque

When Branford Marsalis decided to take a sideways detour in his jazz career to play hip-hop rhythms, rock, R&B, reggae and a host of other influences off against his jazz roots, he decided to call the project Buckshot LeFonque. The name was borrowed from Cannonball Adderley, who used it back in the 1950s to cover his tracks while recording for a record company other than his primary label.

Buckshot LeFonque's self-titled first album was released in 1994 and drew the wrong kind of fire from various critical quarters, but that didn't stop the recording of a second offering, 'Music Evolution', in 1997, nor did it deter Marsalis from quitting his job as band leader for 'The Tonight Show' and touring Buckshot LeFonque.

Among Buckshot LeFonque's contributors were Reginald Veal (bass), Rocky Bryant (drums), 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier (rap vocals), Frank McComb (vocals, keyboards), Carl Burnett (guitar), Russell Gunn (trumpet) and DJ Apollo (turntables).