Legendary jazz pianist and teacher Ellis Marsalis Jr., the patriarch of New Orleans’ great musical family, is dead.
Ellis passed away on Wednesday at 85 due to complications of coronavirus.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Ellis Marsalis Jr.,” son Branford Marsalis said in a statement, saying his father was admitted to hospital on Saturday and “died peacefully this evening.”
“My dad was a giant of a musician and teacher, but an even greater father. He poured everything he had into making us the best of what we could be,” Branford Marsalis said.
