Ellis Marsalis Jr, jazz pianist
Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr. ‑ an American jazz pianist and educator – died from Covid-19 complications on April 1, 2020.
Active since the late 1940s, Marsalis came to greater attention in the 1980s and 1990s as the patriarch of a musical family, with sons Branford and Wynton also becoming notable musicians.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Marsalis was the son of Florence Marie (née Robertson) and Ellis Marsalis Sr., a businessman and social activist. Marsalis and his wife Delores Ferdinand had six sons: Branford, Wynton, Ellis III, Delfeayo, Mboya, and Jason. Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason also became jazz musicians. Ellis III is a poet and photographer.
Marsalis played saxophone during high school but switched to piano while st...