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BumRushDaShow

(126,616 posts)
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 05:30 AM Apr 2020

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.
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Jazz patriarch Ellis Marsalis dies at 85 while fighting coronavirus, son says (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 2020 OP
Damn... It is taking and will continue to take some of our very best... hlthe2b Apr 2020 #1
One of the greats, father, teacher, and mentor to other greats ms liberty Apr 2020 #2
R.I.P. Ellis Marsalis gademocrat7 Apr 2020 #3
Hoda Kotb on NBC said "he was only 85" TNNurse Apr 2020 #4
The OP link had a pic of him a year ago at the New Orleans Jazz Festival BumRushDaShow Apr 2020 #6
A Shame ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #5
So sad, what a loss. wendyb-NC Apr 2020 #7

hlthe2b

(101,534 posts)
1. Damn... It is taking and will continue to take some of our very best...
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 05:34 AM
Apr 2020

Any and all lives lost to this scourge is tragic. Some resonate just a bit more, though.

RIP

BumRushDaShow

(126,616 posts)
6. The OP link had a pic of him a year ago at the New Orleans Jazz Festival
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 08:14 AM
Apr 2020

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)
5. A Shame
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 08:11 AM
Apr 2020

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!

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