Ellis Marsalis
Ellis Marsalis is regarded by many as the premier modern jazz pianist in New Orleans. Born on November 14, 1934, he began formal music studies at the Xavier University junior school of music at age eleven. After high school Marsalis enrolled in Dillard University (New Orleans) as a clarinet major. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education in 1955. Marsalis spent the next year working as an assistant manager in his fathers’ motel business.
The following year Marsalis then joined the U.S. Marine Corps and while stationed in southern California began honing his skills as a pianist on a television show entitled Dress Blues and a radio show called Leatherneck Songbook. Both shows were sponsored by the Marine Corps. After completing a stint in the Marine Corps Marsalis returned to New Orleans and married Dolores Ferdinand, a New Orleanian, who bore him six sons; Branford, Wynton, Ellis III, Delfeayo, Miboya and Jason.
In 1964 Marsalis moved his wife and family of, at at time, four sons to the small rural Louisiana town of Breux Bridge where he became a school band and choral director at Carver high school for two years. Returning to New Orleans he began to freelance once again on the local music scene. He set his sights on bebop and formed a small combo with drummer Ed Blackwell, clarinetist Alvin Batiste, and saxophonist Battiste.
With its modern, almost avant-garde style, the group found little work in New Orleans, but it did get the attention of legendary alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman. Originally from Texas and steeped in that state's R&B style, Coleman found himself at odds with most of New Orleans' jazz scene. He quickly left The Big Easy for California. Once he arrived, he asked Ellis and the rest of the group to follow.
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Album Review
- The New Orleans Collection: For All We Know by Pierre Giroux
Profile
New York Beat
Album Review
- A New Orleans Christmas Carol by Dan Bilawsky
- An Open Letter to Thelonious by Michael P. Gladstone
- An Open Letter to Thelonious by Woodrow Wilkins
- An Open Letter to Thelonious by C. Michael Bailey
- Ruminations in New York by Robert R. Calder
- Afternoon Session by Dave Nathan
June 15, 2020
Nu Jazz Records Releases The First Album From The Ellis Marsalis...
April 06, 2020
April 06, 2020
January 04, 2019
The Nu Jazz Agency Announces The Inaugural Performance Of The Winners...
June 27, 2018
Marshall University And The Nu Jazz Agency Announce The Winners Of The...
June 11, 2018
Marshall University And The Nu Jazz Agency Announce The Finalists For...
May 28, 2018
Preliminary Judges And Side Personel For The Ellis Marsalis...
May 02, 2018
Marshall University And The Nu Jazz Agency Announce The Launch Of The ...
April 02, 2018
Nu Jazz Agency And Marshall University Announce The Ellis Marsalis...
October 29, 2016
Nu Jazz Entertainment/ELM Records Announces The Vinyl Release Of An...
Marsalis keeps Monk's music very much alive with his inspired interpretations of the legend's compositions. - Ken Dryden, Rovi All Music Guide
Ellis Marsalis Jr. captures the Monk magic leading his quartet in performing unique renditions of his compositions. - Edward Blanco, E jazznews
Ellis Marsalis, at 73 a lucid, subtle, laconic pianist, shines up these tunes, leaving sufficient space while weaving phrases in and around the solos