home > Jacksonian

London Branch

Photo and story by Lynette Hanson
September 2, 2004

The day I sat down to talk with London Branch, 67, he was dressed in a kelly green and old gold retro-style knit shirt with a collar, tucked neatly into his slacks.

Branch came to Jackson 20 years ago as an associate professor of music at Jackson State and retired in May after accomplishing what he'd been hired to do—build a symphony orchestra, "the best-kept secret in Jackson." In fact, he says, "Jackson State is the best-kept secret in town."

Student after student benefited from Branch, not only as an instructor but as a mentor. Branch humbly says that, in classes like jazz piano and strings, "my students seemed to feel they were learning something." He always taught more than just the subject matter, though, explaining the importance of being a gentleman, of handling finances wisely, as well as teaching students to respect their music and their audiences. Branch says teachers can motivate students to believe in themselves, to not settle for mediocrity. "I believe when a person realizes they've done their best, there's a sense of accomplishment so that their best becomes better and better and better."

Steeped in jazz growing up in Chicago at 55th and Shields, guided by family members who made sure he heard plenty of live music, Branch told me his first job playing was when he was a senior in high school; his instrument of choice was the trumpet. After college, "I wanted to learn how to play the bass, and people started hiring me, so I put away the trumpet." Ten years later, he was thinking of making the trumpet into a lamp but decided to play it again for old times' sake—it joined the stand-up bass in his repertoire.

When he came to Jackson, Branch thought "my playing days were over. I figured there'd be country and blues here." He found a "bustlin', hustlin'" music scene, one he has played in professionally. Today, Branch says, the bright spot in Jackson for live jazz is Charles Hooker, sponsor of Jazz, Art and Friends at the Mississippi Museum of Art. "He puts his money where his mouth is," Branch says, "because he believes in jazz and finds a way to make it happen, working to create the right atmosphere in Jackson for jazz."

Having a healthy jazz scene in Jackson makes Branch's wish for all musicians—to find places to play where they're appreciated and to make enough money so they could do only that if they wanted to—seem like it could come true.

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/01/04 at 02:40 PM. [printer version] Share |

COMMENTS

:: recentcomments

Feb 03, 2012 | 07:09 PM
Deuce Headed Back to Ole Miss, Reports Say
Todd Stauffer: Clarification: Now the Sun Herald tells us the Deuce thing isn't a done deal. So much for believing CoachingSearch.com. Also,"Mr. Factsy-pants" sports guy Bryan ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 05:52 PM
Is State Executing a Mentally Ill Man?
Ronni_Mott: Story is updated with the correct telephone number for the governor's office: 601-359-3150.

Feb 03, 2012 | 05:41 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Kamikaze: Renaldo, you may have hit the nail on the head. It could be perhaps in the differences in how Whites and Blacks deal w/ success. In affluence for White success stories there is a ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 04:58 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Renaldo Bryant: Good points Queen . I am not so sure that Whites have a mentality of “if I get it and you get it - WE KEEP IT” and blacks have the attitude of “if I get, I have to keep ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 03:41 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Queen601: Mr. Bryant, thanks for the dialogue and I agree with what you've shared. The "community" is really quick to turn their backs on those who move out of those neighborhoods and ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 03:01 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Renaldo Bryant: Good questions Kaze and Queen, I think much of the perception in many black communities about being “down” and the struggle comes from the sense of community that develops ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 02:19 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Kamikaze: And my wife poses a very good question. Why do Black feel like they need to see you struggle to know that youre "down"? Why is that if you 1. Have financial comfort you cant be "for" ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 02:15 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Kamikaze: Good discussion. And trust, its helping me as much as Im trying to help others in a similar quandry. Defining YOU for YOU may be the best mantra yet. Ive always fancied myself ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 12:03 PM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Queen601: "If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies of me and eaten alive." Audre Lorde

Feb 03, 2012 | 11:13 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Renaldo Bryant: Very interesting topic. How to be a professional, "Down" Black man in 21st Century Jackson, MS. Somebody ought to write the book LOL!!! But seriously, this is a very good ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 10:32 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Duan C.: "Why the white folk need to see you in a suit and tie in order to believe you are "worthwhile" is beyond me?" Queen I caught that! lol!!!! Ok, you got me - you got me.

Feb 03, 2012 | 10:27 AM
Study: Race Affects Broadband Access
Duan C.: @ Renaldo - I was just trying to be under the radar with it - but you hit it on the head! lol!!! But you are right though

Feb 03, 2012 | 09:50 AM
Study: Race Affects Broadband Access
Renaldo Bryant: Actually Duan C, I saw the quote as indicative of the wealth gap between Black families and white families, not necessarily the companies charging black families ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 09:10 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Queen601: I met with a brother recently who has made the decision to remain poor (I guess poor is in the eye of the beholder because he would argue that he isn't poor). He has married himself ...

Feb 03, 2012 | 08:39 AM
[Kamikaze] 'I'm No Token'
Duan C.: "Worse still the black elite is scared as hell of ya because you threaten their "spot". Brotha, you hit the nail on the head with that one! The other two things I think we face are: ...

100 recent comments »

home > Jacksonian

London Branch

COMMENTS

e-mail newsletter

just commented on...

most recent posts...

jfp featured event

Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS Benefit

jfp best bets and recommended