Appearing with Ellis Marsalis at the Watertown Jazz Festival will be Jason Marsalis on Drums, Derek Douget on Tenor Sax, and William Huntington on Bass
Renowned Jazz Pianist, Educator, Mentor, and Scholar
The Marsalis family could arguably be called the first family of modern jazz. The name needs no introduction to people who know music and, in particular, jazz music. The patriarch of gifted jazz musicians, Ellis Marsalis is also the key to the family's fortitude, inspiration, and love for the music. A stellar musician in his own right; Ellis has faithfully carried the torch by performing and recording, as well as by educating the public on jazz music.To celebrate Ellis’ recent retirement from the music faculty at the University of New Orleans and to raise money to establish a teaching chair in his name, the Marsalis family recorded together for the first time. The historic concert also resulted in a new album, THE MARSALIS FAMILY: A JAZZ CELEBRATION. Recorded live at the University of New Orleans' Keifer Lakefront Arena, it features all of the music-making Marsalises - father Ellis on piano and sons Branford (tenor and soprano saxophones), Wynton (trumpet), Delfeayo (trombone) and Jason (drums) - and a special guest appearance by Ellis’ former piano student Harry Connick Jr. The evening was recorded for a PBS television special as well as a special DVD and was followed by a highly-anticipated limited-engagement tour.
Ellis Marsalis has recorded numerous acclaimed albums, both as a bandleader and solo. Along the way, there have been numerous notable musical associations including those with Al Hirt, Cannonball Adderly, and Eddie Harris, among many others.
Yet, Marsalis’ greatest legacy may ultimately be as an inspirational role model and mentor. Ellis is, literally and figuratively, the father of a generation of contemporary jazz musicians who are considered the international leaders of the current scene. These include his sons Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo, and Jason, as well as his former NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts – a public arts high school) students Harry Connick, Jr., Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, and Nicholas Payton, among others.
Born in New Orleans on November 14, 1934, Ellis Marsalis’ love affair with music began in 1948 when he began playing professionally as a tenor saxophonist while in high school (later switching to piano). He received his B.A. from Dillard University and, later, his Masters in Music Education from Loyola University. In between, there was two years of service in the U.S. Marines.
Ellis accepted an invitation in 1986 to become the coordinator of Jazz Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. In 1989, he was awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees from Dillard University in New Orleans and from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Also in 1989 he moved back to New Orleans, where he continued to inspire students as Head of Jazz Studies at the University of New Orleans until his retirement in August, 2001. Additionally, he has served as a board member for the National Endowment for the Arts. All of these experiences have given him a broader perspective as both a player and teacher of music, as well as strong feelings about the direction this country should take in music education.
The compelling PBS documentary, ELLIS MARSALIS: JAZZ IS SPOKEN HERE, profiles the renowned pianist, influential teacher, and role model, and highlights what he has learned about music and life. Showcasing thoughtful interviews with those he’s mentored, the film affirms Marsalis' message of musical and personal integrity, and it provides evidence that a life lived to the fullest is one that combines a personal struggle for excellence with a commitment to younger generations.Visit www.ellismarsalis.com