Jazz Great Ellis Marsalis Dead at 85, Fought Virus
2020-04-03
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1Ellis Marsalis Jr., the jazz musician, teacher and head of a musical family has died after being infected with coronavirus.
2He was 85.
3Ellis Marsalis III, one of his sons, told The Associated Press that his father's death was caused by the coronavirus.
4He died after a battle with lung infections "brought on by COVID-19," his son said.
5Four of the jazz musician's six sons are also musicians: Wynton, one of America's best-known jazz musicians, is the artistic director of jazz at New York's Lincoln Center; Branford led The Tonight Show band and toured with Sting; Delfeayo is a recording producer and performer; and Jason has his own musical group.
6Marsalis made his career in New Orleans. He later joined his sons on tour as they played around the world.
7New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said of the man: "Ellis Marsalis was a legend... He was a teacher, a father, and an icon."
8Harry Connick Jr. was one of Marsalis' students at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts.
9Other well-known musicians from his classrooms include Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Victor Goines, and Reginald Veal.
10Marsalis was born in New Orleans.
11His father ran a hotel in an area of the city where African-American musicians stayed when they toured.
12At the time, African-Americans could not stay in downtown New Orleans hotels.
13He played saxophone in high school.
14He also played piano by the time he went to Dillard University.
15New Orleans was a traditional jazz town.
16Rock 'n' roll was the new sound in the 1950s.
17But Marsalis preferred bebop and modern jazz.
18His music has been described as romantic, modern, or simply "Louisiana jazz."
19Marsalis joined the Marine Corps and played piano on a weekly military program for CBS television in New York.
20From the show, he said, he learned all kinds of music.
21Back in New Orleans, he worked at the Playboy Club and appeared again on TV as part of a jazz group.
22In the mid-1970s, he taught at a special New Orleans high school for musicians.
23He also taught at Xavier University and the University of New Orleans.
24On Wednesday night, Ellis III recalled how his father taught him the meaning of integrity before he even knew the word.
25As young boys, Ellis and his brother Delfeayo went to hear their father play at a club.
26There was only one man who was sleeping and drunk in the club. The boys asked to leave.
27Ellis said, "He looked at us and said, 'I can't leave... I'm paid to play this set. I'm going to play this set. It doesn't matter that nobody's here.'"
28I'm Jonathan Evans.
1Ellis Marsalis Jr., the jazz musician, teacher and head of a musical family has died after being infected with coronavirus. 2He was 85. 3Ellis Marsalis III, one of his sons, told The Associated Press that his father's death was caused by the coronavirus. He died after a battle with lung infections "brought on by COVID-19," his son said. 4Four of the jazz musician's six sons are also musicians: Wynton, one of America's best-known jazz musicians, is the artistic director of jazz at New York's Lincoln Center; Branford led The Tonight Show band and toured with Sting; Delfeayo is a recording producer and performer; and Jason has his own musical group. 5Marsalis made his career in New Orleans. He later joined his sons on tour as they played around the world. 6New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said of the man: "Ellis Marsalis was a legend... He was a teacher, a father, and an icon." 7Harry Connick Jr. was one of Marsalis' students at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. Other well-known musicians from his classrooms include Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Victor Goines, and Reginald Veal. 8Marsalis was born in New Orleans. His father ran a hotel in an area of the city where African-American musicians stayed when they toured. At the time, African-Americans could not stay in downtown New Orleans hotels. 9He played saxophone in high school. He also played piano by the time he went to Dillard University. 10New Orleans was a traditional jazz town. Rock 'n' roll was the new sound in the 1950s. But Marsalis preferred bebop and modern jazz. His music has been described as romantic, modern, or simply "Louisiana jazz." 11Marsalis joined the Marine Corps and played piano on a weekly military program for CBS television in New York. From the show, he said, he learned all kinds of music. Back in New Orleans, he worked at the Playboy Club and appeared again on TV as part of a jazz group. 12In the mid-1970s, he taught at a special New Orleans high school for musicians. He also taught at Xavier University and the University of New Orleans. 13On Wednesday night, Ellis III recalled how his father taught him the meaning of integrity before he even knew the word. 14As young boys, Ellis and his brother Delfeayo went to hear their father play at a club. There was only one man who was sleeping and drunk in the club. The boys asked to leave. 15Ellis said, "He looked at us and said, 'I can't leave... I'm paid to play this set. I'm going to play this set. It doesn't matter that nobody's here.'" 16I'm Jonathan Evans. 17The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20jazz - n. a type of American music with lively rhythms and melodies that are often created by musicians while they play 21legend - n. a man of great stature 22icon - n. someone who noted for his greatness in a particular skill 23saxophone - n. a musical instrument that has a curved metal tube and is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and pressing keys with your fingers 24bebop - n. a fast complex type of jazz 25integrity - n. the quality of being fair and honest 26club - n. a place where people go to listen to live music and drink alcohol