Buckshot LeFonque

Buckshot LeFonque was a musical group project led by Branford Marsalis.
The name Buckshot LeFonque was derived by Marsalis from 'Buckshot La Funke', a pseudonym used for contractual reasons by jazz saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on the album Here Comes Louis Smith. After playing with Sting, Miles Davis, and other artists, Marsalis founded this band to create a new sound by merging classic jazz with rock, pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences.

Career

Buckshot LeFonque began primarily as a collaboration between Branford Marsalis and DJ Premier. Marsalis moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1992 to commence work as the Musical Director on The Tonight Show, which had acquired Jay Leno as its new host. Marsalis hosted DJ Premier, as well as engineer Ben Austin, in his Los Angeles residence, and began composition on the eponymous album. He assembled a recording band primarily from the jazz players in The Tonight Show Band, which included Jeff "Tain" Watts, Robert Hurst, Kenny Kirland, and Kevin Eubanks. The band recorded at Sony Studios Los Angeles in the summer of 1993.
Two albums were released, Buckshot LeFonque and the follow-up Music Evolution. Other frequent collaborators were Branford Marsalis's brother and trombonist, Delfeayo Marsalis, and the rapper, Uptown.

Buckshot LeFonque