Virtuoso saxophonist Branford Marsalis returns for Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts

Virtuoso saxophonist Branford Marsalis returns to Orchestra Hall this week, for the second time in 2024 , to open the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 season with a jazz-infused showpieces.

He’ll join DSO music director Jader Bignamini to present musical postcards by Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin that capture city vibes, Cuban beats and the bustling cafes and streets of Paris. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday.

Joan Tower’s “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 6” begins the season-opening concert, followed by Erwin Schulhoff’s “Hot Sonate.” Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture” and Darius Milhaud’s timeless “Scaramouche” will lead to Bernstein’s “Three Dance Episodes from ‘On the Town,’” and the program will close with Gershwin’s triumphant “An American in Paris.”

Marsalis will also join the DSO on Saturday evening for a slightly altered program following the symphony’s opening night gala, which begins at 5 p.m. An overture by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels and a suite from film composer John Williams’ “Catch Me If You Can” score will be played along with Bernstein’s “Three Dance Episodes,” Milhaud’s “Scaramouche” and “An American in Paris.”

“I love playing with (the DSO),” Marsalis told the Free Press. “They’re a great orchestra; it’s a perfect blend of veteran musicians and younger musicians, and they’re all enthusiastic. They love to play, and that’s fun to be around.”

Tickets for Thursday and Friday's performances start at $20. Concert-only tickets for Saturday's performance start at $40. For tickets, as well as information on Saturday's gala, go to dso.org .

Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Virtuoso saxophonist Branford Marsalis returns for Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts