Jazz icon and pioneer Ellis Marsalis Jr has died aged 85 from complications after contracting coronavirus.
His son Branford confirmed he died in a New Orleans hospital, which came as Fountains Of Wayne musician Adam Schlesinger also passed from Covid-19.
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Marsalis Jr is known as a legend of the New Orleans jazz scene and was the patriarch of a well-known musical family, with four of his songs following in his musical footsteps.
His son Wynton is one of the most prominent jazz figures in the US as artistic director of jazz at New York’s Lincoln Center, while Branford is a saxophonist who has worked with the likes of Sting and led The Tonight Show band.
Brandford told the New York Times the cause of his father’s death on Wednesday was complications of Covid-19.
Wynton wrote on Twitter: ‘Ellis Marsalis, 1934 – 2020. He went out the way he lived: embracing reality.’
Ellis Marsalis III told The Associated Press: ‘Pneumonia was the actual thing that caused his demise. But it was pneumonia brought on by COVID-19.’
He added that Marsalis Jr’s family had been able to make it to say goodbye: ‘I was with him in the hospital for six or seven hours yesterday. Branford was with him Monday, I was with him yesterday and [son] Jason was with him today. He passed right after Jason departed.’
Marsalis Jr was known mostly around New Orleans for most of his career, until his sons found fame and brought their dad and his immense talent into the spotlight.
From there the patriarch landed recording contracts and headliner performances on television and on tour.
Following the news of his passing, famous fans of the jazz legend to pay tribute online, as John Legend tweeted: ‘Sending love to the Marsalis family. Condolences to them and all of those who loved Ellis Marsalis.’
The Wire star Wendell Pierce, who is from New Orleans, described Marsalis Jr as an ‘icon of our culture’.
He said: ‘With the deepest and most profound sadness, I grieve the passing of a true jazz master, icon of our culture, historic in the story of New Orleans, and profound in his influence in the evolution of music along with many lives.
‘Father. Mentor. Teacher. Genius. RIP Ellis Marsalis.’
Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a picture of himself with Marsalis Jr and wrote: ‘Ellis
Marsalis was a true legend. In his music, his passion for New Orleans and his steadfast dedication to education, he showed us all the power of community.
He’ll be missed dearly. My thoughts are with his sons who carry on his legacy.’
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Marsalis Jr was a ‘legend’ and the ‘prototype of what we mean when we talk about New Orleans jazz’.
She added: ‘The love and the prayers of all of our people go out to his family, and to all of those whose lives he touched.’
Ellis also leaves behind sons Delfeayo, a trombonist, Jason, a percussionist, Ellis III, a photographer, and Mboya. His wife Dolores died in 2017.
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