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Ellis Marsalis Jr. was an American jazz pianist and educator. Ellis Marsalis Jr. contributed to the music industry in the late 1940s. He sadly passed away in April 2020, in the fight against Covid-19.
Early life and childhood
Ellis Marsalis Jr. was born on November 14, 1934 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Marsalis. His mother’s name was Florence Marie and his father’s name was Ellis Marsalis Sr. Likewise, his father was a businessman and social activist. His full name is Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr.
Likewise, he played the saxophone during high school but later switched to the piano. He studied classical music at Dillard University and graduated in 1955. He later attended graduate school at Loyola University in New Orleans.
Caption: -Fox-Business in his childhood photo from 1943 (Source: http://ellismarsalis)
The sad news of the passing of jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr. came to light on Wednesday. April 1, 2020. He died after complications from the coronavirus. While the entire world fights this pandemic. It has created many difficulties and the world is also losing a lot of population. His loss has saddened the entire music industry where his talent has contributed for almost 71 years.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) confirmed the death of the legendary musician. She tweeted at the 85-year-old “prototype of what we mean when we talk about New Orleans jazz.” And she added: “The love and prayers of all our people are with his family and with all those whose lives he touched.” Furthermore, “Ellis Marsalis was an icon, and words are not enough to describe the artistry, joy and wonder he showed the world.
The sons of his two jazz musicians, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, mourned their father’s death. Branford Marsalis told USA Today: “My father was a giant musician and teacher, but an even greater father. He poured out everything he had to give us the best we could be.”
Additionally, Wynton Marsalis tweeted: “He came out the way he lived: embracing reality.” His son Branford said his father was originally admitted to the hospital Saturday on suspicion of contracting the disease and died Wednesday night.
Additionally, as of May 19, Louisiana officials announced more than 1.54 million coronavirus cases in the United States and at least 90,694 deaths. Additionally, singer John Legend tweeted his condolences on Wednesday after the news broke, tweeting that he was “[s]put an end to the love for the Marsalis family.”
Musical career
Talking about Ellis’ early career, in the 1950s and 1960s, he worked with Ed Blackwell, Cannonball Adderley, Nat Adderley and Al Hirt. During the 1970s, he trained at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. His students include Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick Jr., Marlon Jordan, Donald Harrison, Kent Jordan and Nicholas Payton.
Likewise, he had recorded almost twenty of his albums. He also appeared on many albums with musicians such as David “Fathead” Newman, Eddie Harris, Marcus Roberts and Courtney Pine. As a teacher, he inspired and supported his students to learn from history and at the same time promote their own discoveries in music.
He had once said of his ability to teach jazz improvisation: “We don’t teach jazz, we teach students.” As chief instructor at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana. , he influenced the careers of countless musicians, as well as those of his four musical sons: Branford, Delfeayo, Wynton and Jason. Likewise, he retired from the UN in 2001. In May 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Tulane University for his contributions to jazz and music education.
Caption: Ellis Marsalis Jr. was captured playing the piano on stage performing among a large crowd (Source: Fox Business)
Ellis Marsalis Jr. – Net worth 2023
Ellis Marsalis Jr. had contributed a tremendous journey to the music industry and also received several awards. He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2018. The Ellis Marsalis Music Center at Musicians’ Village in New Orleans was named in his honor. In 2010, the Marsalis family released a live album titled Music Redeems, recorded at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. It was part of the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. All rewards from album sales go directly to the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.
Additionally, he was a fraternity brother of Phi Beta Sigma and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. In 2015, he received Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s 24th Man of Music Award, the highest honor given to a member, for advancing the cause of music in America through performance, composition or any other musical activity. In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate of music from Berklee College of Music during its 50th annual High School Jazz Festival.
Throughout his life, he earned around 15 million dollars thanks to his professional work.
Ellis Marsalis Jr. – Personal Life
Ellis Marsalis Jr. was married to Dolores Ferdinand Marsalis from 1959 to 2017. They had six children: Branford, Wynton, Ellis III, Delfeayo, Mboya and Jason. Delfeayo, Branford, Wynton and Jason also became jazz musicians. Likewise, Ellis III is a poet and photographer.
Caption; Ellis Marsalis Jr. captured with his son playing Jazz (Source: WSIS 10)
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Categories: Biography
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