American entrepreneur, jazz saxophonist, and bandleader (1928–1987)
Ben Branch |
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| Born | (1928-01-08)January 8, 1928 |
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| Died | August 27, 1987(1987-08-27) (aged 59)
Chicago, Illinois |
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| Genres | Jazz |
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| Occupation | Musician |
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| Instrument | Saxophone |
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Musical artist
Ben F. Branch (January 8, 1928 – August 27, 1987)[1][2] was an American entrepreneur, jazz tenor saxophonist, and bandleader.
Although known as the last person Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to moments before his assassination in 1968,[3] Branch had been a jazz bandleader for many years.
- ^ Ben Branch, 59, Leader in Civil Rights, Business, Chicago Tribune, August 28, 1987
- ^ "FamilySearch". Familysearch.org. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Ben Branch, 59, musician and civil rights activist, died Thursday 27 in Provident Medical Center after suffering a stroke. Mr. Branch, a South Side resident, was the last person to whom Martin Luther King Jr. spoke moments before his assassination at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968. King asked Mr. Branch, a saxophonist, to play his favorite gospel song, 'Precious Lord,' at a rally later that night." Chicago Sun-Times, August 28, 1987.