Music is mourning the loss of a giant following the passing of New Orleans jazz legend Ellis Marsalis Jr., who passed away Wednesday due to complications from COVID-19.
Marsalis was 85. His son Branford Marsalis confirmed the news to The New York Times, telling the publication, “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.” Marsalis was known throughout New Orleans, having spent decades as a teacher and musician in the city.
He rose to fame alongside his sons, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, in the mid to late 80s amid a revival of traditional jazz.