Buckshot Lefonque

Buckshot LeFonque was a musical group project of Branford Marsalis. After playing with Sting, Miles Davis and other artists, he founded this band to create a new sound by merging classical jazz sound with rock, ballad/pop, Rhythm and Blues and hip-hop influences.

Two albums were released, Buckshot LeFonque (1994) (which featured mostly DJ Premier produced tracks) and the follow up Music Evolution (1997) (which featured mostly Frank McComb on the vocals). Other frequent collaborators were Branford Marsalis' brother, Delfeayo Marsalis and rapper Uptown (of Dope On Plastic fame) aka 50 The Unknown Soldier. Both albums displayed a very broad musical picture, which is probably the reason why they failed to be commercially successful.

The name Buckshot LeFonque was a pseudonym of the jazz saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.

Live band members include:

Branford Marsalis - MC as well as tenor, alto & soprano sax
Frank McComb - keyboards & vocals
50 Styles:The Unknown Soldier, Ricky Dacosta - rapper
Joey Calderazzo - keyboards / first tour
Kermith Campbell - keyboards / until Frank was available
Russell Gunn - trumpet
John Touchy - Trombone - first tour
Carl Burnett - acoustic & electric guitar
Reggie Washington - upright & electric bass / first half of first tour
Reginald Veal - upright & electric bass / second half of first tour
Eric Revis - upright & electric bass / second tour
DJ Apollo - turntables "Wheels O Steel"
Rocky Bryant - drums & percussion & beat accurate sample triggering
Mino Cinelu - percussion / first tour
Black Heart the group - reggae rappers / first tour

Releases

Albums
Buckshot LeFonque (1994)
Music Evolution (1997)

Singles
Breakfast @ Denny's (1994)
Some Cow Fonque (1994)
"No Pain, No Gain" (1995)
Another Day (1997)
Music Evolution (1997)

Soundtracks
Jazz Thing with Gang Starr from Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Reality Check from Clockers (1995)
Some Cow Fonque (More Tea, Vicar?) from Men in Black (1997)