Ellis Marsalis Jr.

Ellis Marsalis Jr.
Marsalis addresses the crowd during his performance at Jazz Fest, May 3, 2014
Background information
Birth nameEllis Louis Marsalis Jr.
Born(1934-11-14)November 14, 1934
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedApril 1, 2020(2020-04-01) (aged 85)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
GenresJazz, classical
Occupation(s)Musician, educator
InstrumentPiano
Years active1949–2020
LabelsElm, Blue Note, Columbia, Sony, AFO Records
Websiteellismarsalis.com

Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr. (November 14, 1934 – April 1, 2020) was an American jazz pianist and educator. Active since the late 1940s, Marsalis came to greater attention in the 1980s and 1990s as the patriarch of the Marsalis musical family, when sons Branford and Wynton became popular jazz musicians.