Ellis Marsalis

Ellis Marsalis is the premier modern jazz pianist of New Orleans. He is also literally and figuratively, the father of a generation of contemporary jazz musicians who are internationally considered the leaders of the current jazz scene.

These musicians include his sons Branford, Wynton and Delfeayo Marsalis. Ellis Marsalis was born November 14, 1934 and began playing music professionally as a tenor saxophonist while in high school before switching to piano a few years later. Ellis Marsalis has performed and/or recorded with artists like Bob French's Storyville Jazz Band, James Black, Victor Goines, Reginald Veal, Noel Kendrick, Eddie Harris and Marcus Roberts and starred in various TV shows like The Today Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. He is also the recipient of numerous honors and awards.