Ellis Marsalis
Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr. (* 14. November 1934 in New Orleans , Louisiana ; † 1. April 2020 ) was an American jazz pianist and jazz - educator .
life and work
Marsalis first learned the clarinet and played in a high school band. He switched to the piano only after studying music education at Dillard University , which he graduated in 1955. He first worked with Ed Blackwell and Alvin Batiste, and for a while in 1956 with Ornette Coleman . In 1963 recordings were made with the Coltrane epigone Nat Perrilliat . After various experiences as a club pianist, accompanist for well-known jazz soloists and in TV shows in Al Hirt's band, he completed his studies at Loyola University. From 1967 to 1975 he was a lecturer in African American music and improvisation at the Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. He then was director of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) .
As a musician he has during his career with Nat Adderley , the Rebirth Brass Band of Kermit Ruffin and David "Fathead" Newman worked also with local projects such as the American Jazz Quintet and the Heritage Hall Jazz Band . In 1989 he made the live session album A Night at Snug Harbor, New Orleans, with guest musicians such as Nicholas Payton , Tony Dagradi , Rick Margitza , Donald Harrison and Art Blakey ; 1995 together with son Wynton Joe Cool's Blues , dedicated to Peanuts cartoon music and Vince Guaraldi . In 1999 he recorded a solo album with Ellington interpretations.
Marsalis is the father of the famous jazz musicians Wynton , Branford , Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis . He has also taught several well-known jazz musicians from his sons' generation, namely Nicholas Payton , Donald Harrison , Terence Blanchard and others. In 2011 the Ellis Marsalis Music Center was opened in honor of the musician .
His piano playing was initially influenced by Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole .
The musician died in hospital at the age of 85 after showing symptoms of COVID-19 .
Discographic notes
- The Classic Ellis Marsalis (Boplicity, 1963) with Nat Perrilliat, Marshall Smith , James Black
- Ellis Marsalis Trio ( Blue Note , 1990) with Bob Hurst and Jeff Watts
- Whistle Stop ( Columbia , 1993) with Branford and Jason Marsalis, Bob Hurst, Jeff Watts
- A Night at Snug Harbor, New Orleans (Evidence, 1989) Nicholas Payton , Tony Dagradi , Rick Margitza , Donald Harrison , Bill Huntington, Art Blakey
- Duke In Blue (Columbia, 1999) solo
- Afternoon Session (Music in the Vines, 2000)
- An Open Letter to Thelonious (EFM, 2008)
literature
- Ian Carr , Digby Fairweather , Brian Priestley : Rough Guide Jazz. The ultimate guide to jazz. 1800 bands and artists from the beginning until today. 2nd, expanded and updated edition. Metzler, Stuttgart / Weimar 2004, ISBN 3-476-01892-X .
- Richard Cook , Brian Morton : The Penguin Guide of Jazz on CD . 6th edition. Penguin, London 2002, ISBN 0-14-051521-6 .
Web links
- Ellis Marsalis at Discogs (English)
- Ellis Marsalis at the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ^ Report on the opening ceremony of the center at WWLTV ( Memento from January 26, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Bruce Haring: Ellis Marsalis Dies: Noted Jazz Educator, Father Of Wynton And Branford Marsalis Was 85. In: deadline.com . April 1, 2020, accessed on April 1, 2020 .
- ↑ Jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis died of Covid-19 SWR, accessed on April 2, 2020
- ↑ Janet McConnaughey, Rebecca Santana: New Orleans jazz patriarch Ellis Marsalis dead at 85: fought virus. In: klewtv.com. April 2, 2020, accessed on April 2, 2020 .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Marsalis, Ellis |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Marsalis Jr., Ellis Louis |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz pianist and music educator |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 14, 1934 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | New Orleans , Louisiana |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 1, 2020 |
| Place of death | New Orleans , Louisiana |