Marsalis, Ellis, Jr. (Ellis Louis), 1934-2020

Dates

• Existence: 1934 - 2020

Biographical Statement

Born in New Orleans in 1934, Ellis Louis Marsalis, Jr. is the preeminent New Orleans jazz pianist of his generation. Along with his four sons Jason, Delfeayo, Wynton, and Branford, Marsalis earned the coveted Jazz Masters award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ellis Marsalis Jr. played the saxophone and clarinet in his youth before adding the piano as a high school student. Marsalis attended Dillard University in New Orleans, graduating in 1955 with a degree in music education. Shortly thereafter, Marsalis left with Harold Battiste for Los Angeles. There Marsalis played with Ornette Coleman for a short time before he was drafted and spent two years in the Marine Corps. During his time in the military he played piano for a Marine-sponsored television show, “Dress Blues,” and a radio show called “Leather Songbook.” After his military service, Marsalis returned to New Orleans and married Delores Ferdinand. They went on to have six sons, Branford, Wynton, Ellis III, Delfeayo, Mboya Kenyatta and Jason.

In 1964, Marsalis and his family moved to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, where he worked as a high school band and choral director. In 1966, the family relocated to New Orleans, and Marsalis led the house trio at the Playboy Club. Afterwards, Marsalis worked as a music educator at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of New Orleans. Marsalis still performs in New Orleans, and he occasionally tours with his quartet.

In 2008, Marsalis was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. And in 2011, Marsalis and his musician sons were named Jazz Masters by the National Endowment for the Arts. Ellis Marsalis died April 1, 2020.

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