Marsalis

Marsalis is a surname notable in American jazz, most prominently connected with a New Orleans-based family whose members have shaped contemporary jazz performance and education. The patriarch, Ellis Marsalis Jr. (1934–2020), was a pianist and educator whose work as a teacher at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and Loyola University helped nurture a generation of players.

The Marsalis family’s public presence centers on Ellis’s sons: Wynton Marsalis (born 1961), Branford Marsalis (born 1960), Delfeayo Marsalis (born 1965), and Jason Marsalis (born 1977). Wynton is a trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who directs Jazz at Lincoln Center and has received numerous awards, including the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Blood on the Fields, a jazz oratorio. Branford is a versatile saxophonist known for his work in traditional, modern, and crossover contexts; he has led the Branford Marsalis Quartet and collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Sting. Delfeayo is a trombonist and producer who has released and produced projects on his own labels, contributing to recording and production approaches within jazz. Jason is a drummer who leads his own ensembles and participates in various family projects.

The Marsalis name is associated with a strong emphasis on both high-level performance and education, reflecting the family’s New Orleans roots and their broader influence on the jazz tradition. Their work spans traditional New Orleans styles, post-bop, and contemporary jazz, reinforcing the city’s legacy while shaping modern sensibilities.