Jazz patriarch Ellis Marsalis dies at 85 while fighting coronavirus, son says
Source: NBC News
Jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis, educator and father of four noted musicians, died in New Orleans after contracting coronavirus, his son said. He was 85.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the musician an icon in announcing his death. The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music confirmed his death to NBC News affiliate WDSU.
The musician had the disease caused by the virus, COVID-19, and pneumonia, one of his sons told the Associated Press. Pneumonia was the actual thing that caused his demise," Ellis Marsalis III said. "But it was pneumonia brought on by COVID-19."
WDSU described Ellis Marsalis as the patriarch of jazz music's "First Family." Marsalis' musical sons include trumpeter Wynton, saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo and drummer Jason. Wynton has won nine Grammy Awards. Branford led the Tonight Show Band on the NBC show when Jay Leno hosted. He also toured with Sting.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/jazz-patriarch-ellis-marsalis-dead-85-n1174566
Wow. This is heartbreaking. I didn't even realize their dad was still around. That generation made it through the Depression, a couple big wars, polio, smallpox, TB, all kinds of other viral diseases that had no vaccine like measles, mumps, etc., and even Hurricane Katrina. And now this takes him down.
R.I.P.
hlthe2b
(101,534 posts)Any and all lives lost to this scourge is tragic. Some resonate just a bit more, though.
RIP
ms liberty
(8,438 posts)This sucks. Dammit.
RIP.
gademocrat7
(10,615 posts)What an incredible, amazing man. His legacy lives on in his four sons.
TNNurse
(6,905 posts)I think she meant we still needed him around.
BumRushDaShow
(126,616 posts)Ellis Marsalis performs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans on April 28, 2019.Sophia Germer / AP file
So he was still performing!
ProfessorGAC
(64,184 posts)He was a terrific musician. Amazing that 4 kids turned out to be so superb!
I saw Brantford on the Blue Turtles tour, at Alpine Valley in WI.
Band was INCREDIBLE!
wendyb-NC
(3,233 posts)My heart goes out to his loved ones.