Ellis Marsalis...a jazz family patriarch plays Petoskey

Aug. 17, 2005

Ellis Marsalis is the patriarch of probably the greatest jazz family of all time. As both a teacher in the public schools and a professor at the university level, Marsalis taught plenty of kids to appreciate music. His sons were among those who he taught. Four of his six sons have become world-class jazz musicians; Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason. So what about the other two?
“I never required my kids to play an instrument, but if they decided to, they needed to practice and play well,” said Marsalis. “Now, Ellis III found other interests outside of music and I am equally proud of him. He is a poet and photographer and a very successful computer network engineer. My son Mboya was born autistic and has been an inspiration to us all. As any father should, I love all my sons equally.”

PLAYING BAY VIEW
The elder Marsalis also has a love for music and is considered one of the premier modern jazz pianists in the world. He will bring his quartet and musical appreciation to the stage at John M. Hall Auditorium in Bay View on Friday, August 19 as part of the Crooked Tree Performing Arts Series.
At 70 Marsalis keeps busy on the jazz circuit. For 12 years he was at the University of New Orleans as the first occupant of the Coca Cola Jazz Chair and the director of the Jazz Studies Division; he retired from his position in 2001. Prior to that he taught at the high school level where he had his musical sons as students.
“It was a real joy because I was able to watch them as students and as my children,” said Marsalis. “I didn’t treat them any differently -- my expectations of them were the same as they were for all my students. Work hard and practice.”
But his kids certainly had “musical genes” as an advantage.
“I have heard many people make reference to talented people as having a special gift from God. I suppose that is the case. But I have seen many talented people not use their talents,” said Marsalis. “Regardless of what gifts you are born with, you still have to work at them. In the case of my sons as it is with anyone else that is successful, it is 90% hard work and 10% gift.”

FAMILY SEXTET?
Marsalis has performed only a few times publicly with all his sons together on the same stage and only recorded one CD/DVD of their performances together. Why was there never a Marsalis Family Sextet?
“I think it is what I am most proud of and that is the fact that my kids went off and did their own thing, versus doing my thing,” said Marsalis. “That’s what this music is all about. Though I did enjoy those shows together because we didn’t get a chance to play together as a family when they were growing up. I think had I tried to keep them in some sort of family band, I would have stifled their creativity.”
Certainly for your sons, the musical opportunities to play professionally are far greater than they were for you, we note.
“To a certain extent there is truth in that statement. Racism slowed the development of jazz music in this country. The inability of people of different races to perform together in my day probably hurt the music and certainly limited the playing opportunities,” said Marsalis. “Certainly a lot of great music was composed, but would there have been more if racism had not existed?”
But the future looks pretty good, right?
“Jazz music is a very democratic process, certainly there is a leader but everyone in the band plays an equal role in the final outcome,” said Marsalis. “Jazz was developed in this country because we are great improvisers and great jazz is improvised. I think the younger generation understands this and so I see much hope for the preservation of the music, and more importantly the continued development of it in the future.”

PASSING THE TORCH
Marsalis has played a key role in passing the torch along to the younger generation. In addition to his own sons, his students have included trumpeter Terence Blanchard, saxophonist Donald Harrison and pianist Harry Connick, Jr., all of whom have worldwide acclaim with recording contracts on major labels.
Marsalis is currently on tour promoting his new CD, “An Evening with the Ellis Marsalis Quartet, Set I.” Jason Marsalis, who also plays drums on the recording and tours with his father, produced the album. Jason, Ellis and the family matriarch Delores released the album on ELM records, an independent label started by the three.

For additional info on the performance visit www.crookedtree.org or call the box office,
(231) 347-4337. Ellis Marsalis and his quartet will take the stage August 19 at 8 pm for what will be a great night of jazz and proof that “father knows best.”