Jazz pioneer Ellis Marsalis Jr has died at the age of 85 after being diagnosed with coronavirus, his son has said. Marsalis Jr – described as a “legend” of the New Orleans jazz scene – was the patriarch of a well-known musical family.
His death on Wednesday came hours after Adam Schlesinger, best known for his work with rock band Fountains Of Wayne, died after contracting coronavirus.
Four of Marsalis Jr sons followed in footsteps to become musicians. Wynton is one of the most prominent jazz figures in the US as artistic director of jazz at New York’s Lincoln Center.
Branford is a saxophonist who has worked with the likes of Sting. He told the New York Times the cause of his father’s death was complications of Covid-19.