Iconic Jazz Musician Ellis Marsalis Passes Away Due to Coronavirus Complications

Renowned American pianist and Jazz music teacher Ellis Marsalis passed away on Wednesday, succumbing to Coronavirus at the age of 85. His sons, trumpeter Wynton and saxophonist Branford took to social media to announce their father’s death.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Ellis Marsalis Jr., as a result of complications from the coronavirus,” said Branford.

He added, “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.”

His brother Wynton who is an acclaimed saxophonist and music director at Lincoln Jazz Center also expressed grief over his father’s demise.

“Ellis Marsalis, 1934 — 2020. He went out the way he lived: embracing reality,” wrote Wynton.

Spanning a career over multiple decades, Ellis was a leading faculty member at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the University of New Orleans, and the Xavier University of Louisiana.