Branford Marsalis announces the formation of Marsalis Music - a new record company designed to provide a home for committed creative musicians.

In a rare club tour of Europe, the Branford Marsalis Quartet performed a six night stint at the world famous Ronnie Scott's in London.

For the second time in a calendar year, Branford Marsalis tours Japan. This time with his Quartet: Joey Calderazzo (piano), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums), and Eric Revis (bass) with two weeks of performances at the Blue Notes in Japan; Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.

Satchmo to Marsalis: A Tribute to the Fathers of Jazz takes place on Louis Armstrong's 100th birthday - Saturday, August 4, 2001 - at the Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis team up with Harry Connick, Jr. in a benefit concert to salute Ellis Marsalis.

Branford tours selected dates in the U.S. and Japan with the conductorless Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, playing selections from his classical album entitled Creation.

Creation, the most recent of his classical recordings, a collaboration with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is released. It features a program of jazz-influenced and inspired classics from early 20th century French composers, including Milhaud, Ravel, Debussy and others.

Contemporary Jazz earns Branford his third Grammy award; this time in the category, "Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group".