Branford Marsalis

New Orleans jazz royalty will come to the elegant MSU Riley Center theater in downtown Meridian for "An Evening with Branford Marsalis" on April 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Branford Marsalis is the eldest son in a family that also includes pianist Ellis Marsalis, his father, and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, his brother. Branford has taken his own musical path, venturing into classical music, writing stage and film music, collaborating with rockers Sting and the Grateful Dead, and even leading the band on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

He always comes back to jazz. The Riley Center audience will see and hear a mature artist, a master of both tenor and soprano saxophones, firmly rooted in tradition but with his ears always open to new ideas and new sounds. The evening will likely veer in unexpected directions, but with the genial Marsalis at the helm, it promises to be a delightful ride.

Tickets are $46 and $40 at the MSU Riley Center Box Office, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.msurileycenter.com or by calling the box office at 601-696-2200.