Ellis Marsalis, Jazz Pianist and Music Family Patriarch, Dies at 85

Killed at 85 from Covid-19. So what % of American males make it to 85? Of those who do, how many die of pneumonia?

Two thoughts from a NOLA ex-pat: Dum vivimus vivamus "While we live let us live" “Don’t be sad that it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Vin Scully

Harry Connick Jr. told a wonderful story once about how he took piano lessons from Ellis Marsalis as a boy. He said that he would go up onto the front porch of the Marsalis house where Branford and Wynton were waiting, and they would grab him and muss up his hair, give him a hard time (the way teenage boys do), until Ellis Marsalis would come out on the porch and say, "What are you boys doing?" And Branford and Wynton would instantly stop and step away from Harry and say, "Nuthin'." The way he told the story -- with so much admiration in his voice for the Marsalis family (there's also a great part where he sputters with indignation about Branford having gone on tour with Sting) -- is literally what gives me hope when I feel like things are going to [--]. To hear that much love and respect from a white man toward a black man and his family... I'm sure there are commenters who are waiting to tear me apart for saying this, but it gives me faith in humanity. Thank you to the entire Marsalis family for making art, and being art.

I spent 3 plus wonderful years in New Orleans - in early 90's - after having lived in London. The Big Easy was such a welcome introduction back to buzzing America - after several years overseas. And Marsalis clan were everywhere - and plus some more with Harry Connick Jr. I don't know how many times I must have listened to all performing live in those years. I remember in the Quarter - on a Sunday afternoon by the French and market - there would be impomptru or little advertised concerts. And many times, some one Marsalis appeared. Those 3 years were the best years of my life. There is nothing like New Orleans - and it's jazz.

I spent 3 plus wonderful years in New Orleans - in early 90's - after having lived in London. The Big Easy was such a welcome introduction back to buzzing America - after several years overseas. And Marsalis clan were everywhere - and plus some more with Harry Connick Jr. I don't know how many times I must have listened to all performing live in those years. I remember in the Quarter - on a Sunday afternoon by the French and market - there would be impomptru or little advertised concerts. And many times, some one Marsalis appeared. Those 3 years were the best years of my life. There is nothing like New Orleans - and it's jazz.

One of the great masters What is the essence of cool? Thank you, wonderful sir.

I saw Mr. Marsalis live for the first time at Piano Night at Tipitina's in 1986 during Jazz Fest. He made the audience feel a bit like students or good friends sitting in his living room as he spent a minute or two gently giving a little background - historic, technical, or otherwise - about the next piece he was about to play. It made the piece so much more deep, rich and alive for everyone present. He inspired me to do the same at my piano gigs ever since. Afterward people always come up and tell me how much my commentary enriched their listening experience. I always give credit where credit is due. My heart goes out to the Marsalis family as well as music lovers everywhere. As we say in the South, bless his heart.

So sad to hear about Ellis's passing. He was such a wonderful musician. I'm fortunate I was able to see him perform with his sons in Philadelphia many years ago. As talented as his children are, he was even more talented (in my opinion). His piano solo on Harry Connick, Jr.'s version of "Stardust" gives you a glimpse of the master at work.

I'm such a fan of those who make the time to both create art and mentor those who will continue the conversation. Bless the Marsalis family, whose care and feeding of jazz always reminds me what America can do when she is at her best. I'm sad and sorry you have lost Dr. Marsalis in this way.

He built a musical dynasty; rest easy, Dr. Marsalis; and thank you for all of it.

Thank you so much for a thorough article about the late Ellis Marsalis. I am saddened by his passing and sorry for the Marsalis family loss of his living presence. I have had all types of music in my life from an early childhood thanks to both my parents, one of whom was an amateur but enthusiastic musician/ school teacher. I have one of her guitars, a '53 Martin 0-18 that I play often. Over the years I have played a variety of instruments and appreciated the elements of American jazz influence in the material I performed and practiced I was introduced to the jazz palette by both parents and fed that hunger for any and all music my entire life so far, now 71. Though a fan who sought out performance and recordings of Ellis Marsalis' sons I neglected to seek his own recordings, an oversight and shortfall I hope to remedy. Thanks again for pointing the way in your article.

My sincerest condolences to the Marsalis family. Mr. Marsalis left us a jazz legacy to be proud of. RIP maestro.

People often think of America as an economic, military and technological superpower. Yet, maestro Ellis Marsalis legacy reminds us that the US are a cultural superpower too. His three sons are comfortable with all kind of jazz as well as classical music. Branford Marsalis performance of Stravinsky's serenade from the ballet Pulcinella, or Winton playing Haydn's trumpet concerto in E, are simply superb. Americans should remember this – and rejoice -- in a period in which nothing seems certain anymore.

I recall the last time I heard Ellis play. It was a New Year's Eve in the later 1970s. I had been studying for my written exams for the PhD in mathematics at Tulane and the exam was over. I walked across Rampart from my Bourbon Street apartment (839 Bourbon, top floor) to Lu and Charlie's with a friend who had a jazz radio show to hear Ellis play with Alvin Batiste, Eddie Blackwell (who was on dialysis in those days), and as I recall two of his kids, maybe Branford and Delfeayo. It was a perfect release after the intensity of my studies. It was sad, though, as it was the last night before Charlie Bering and his partner Lula Lowe (I never met Lula but I had met Charlie) closed the club where I had often gone to hear Henry Butler play. This was a special night and it stuck with me. In the French Quarter you could often see Ellis, Charlie, Batiste and the likes of Paul Prudhomme on the streets. It was a good place to live and the commute to Tulane was the street car I caught on Canal Street after a short walk up Bourbon or Royal Street, wobbling its way up St. Charles Avenue to stop in front of the University across St. Charles from Audubon Park. Great memories to this day.

I love the style and musical education legacy of Ellis Marsalis. I am lucky to have seen and heard him in New Orleans many times. Another New Orleans legend passes on. As with Ronald Lewis last week; and Allen Tousaint, Dr John, Art Neville and Leah Chase last year.

Jazz is the highest form of music, and he was a great artist - as are his sons. Please be safe down there in the Big Easy.

One more point of sadness in this pandemic. Personally - - and through his family - - he's given so much inspiration, education, comfort and just plain delight to so many. If there was an online second line -- there'd be a hundred thousand or more in that procession

I have to remember to not be sad that he is gone. I will focus on the fact that he was here to make a lasting contribution to the music and to guide his family on doing the same. I’m only disappointed that he probably now cannot have one of those famous New Orleans funeral send-offs, with his sons leading the way with their instruments.

A sad day. A sorry loss. This man was a giant.

One of the stars in the world of Jazz Education. So sad that he’s gone. Thank you, Ellis, for all of your tremendous contributions and the legacy you leave behind. Due to you, the world is a finer place for all of us to inhabit.

my condolences to his family - a huge loss for the world!

“May his memory forever be a blessing.”

And the toll this thing exacts is staggering. Bad things happening to good people all over the world. Musicians, artists, journalists, healthcare workers, politicians. Don’t TELL me it’s a hoax now Donald. DO YOUR JOB. Tell Wynton and Branford how PERFECT your strategy has been. Boy you better hope Wynton doesn’t use his megaphone to give you an earful. But he is too wise to get into it with you publicly..... RIP Ellis. Your contributions to music and music education are a beacon of light in this dark moment of American history. We shall overcome.

Truly a loss for this Senior Citizen Musician

We were fortunate to see Ellis and his sons (along with Harry Connick Jr. and Bill Taylor) in a concert at the Kennedy Center honoring Ellis for his achievements. One of the best live music concerts I’ve seen.

A great loss to his family and the music world. He has left an immensely talented legacy whose music soothes the soul.

I saw him perform with Wynton’s quintet at Tanglewood in 2018 and it was a magical night. So much love and respect. The arts are in a tough spot right now and I hope young musicians will take Ellis’ advice to Wynton to heart, “if you really want to be a musician, don’t have nothing to fall back on.”

There are three public figures whose deaths have caused me to unabashedly shed tears. Fred Rogers. Charles Shulz And now this. What a sublime legacy of music and musicians he left us all. All my love and sorrow to his family and to all those his prolific talent ever touched.

As a 77 year old amateur jazz piano player, Ellis Marsalis was an inspiration, someone I watched perform in New Orleans many times over many visits to New Orleans. He was hip right up to the end. Deepest sympathies and condolences to his great American family.

It's always amazing to see a whole family that is so talented. My condolences to all of them.

I saw him perform in Richmond at VCU. He taught there briefly but I think he could not wait to get back to New Orleans. What a talented family. May he RIP.

What a loss to the Jazz World and World of Music at large. My condolences to the Marsalis Family and to the people of New Orleans. May Mr. Marsalis's gift to music live on through all he taught and inspired. RIP Mr. Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Play on in Heaven above.

I saw Ellis perform in New Orleans some years ago. You could tell by the way he treated his band what a wonderful person he was.

So sad to hear, what a talented family.

A great man, a great American.

What a loss. Condolences. A family without it's music master.

Sad day indeed. Leader of America's First Family of Music. Condolences to the family, we will miss him too.