The Marsalis Family

The Marsalis family has been a pillar of the New Orleans music scene for over four generations! Starting with Ellis Marsalis Sr., who was a respected jazz pianist and teacher, the family’s influence has only grown since then.

Ellis Jr. is recognized as one of the greatest jazz pianists of our time and his sons — Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason — are all successful musicians in their own right. The eldest son, Wynton, is a world-renowned trumpeter, composer and educator; Branford has made a name for himself playing saxophone with legends like Miles Davis and Sting; Delfeayo also plays trombone while also managing his father’s musical career; and lastly Jason was recently nominated for two Grammy awards for his work on the soundtrack to “Black Panther.”

Together the Marsalis brothers are carrying on their father’s legacy by sharing their talents with listeners around the world. While each brother has his own unique approach to music making – from traditional New Orleans jazz to hip-hop infused bebop – they continue to make significant contributions to the development of modern jazz culture.

The Marsalis’ impact extends beyond just music — they have also established several educational programs throughout Louisiana that focus on helping young people develop an appreciation for art and cultural history. Their foundation provides underprivileged students with access to musical education opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them such as private music lessons or attendance at summer camps hosted by Wynton himself. They even have a recording studio at Jalon Square open for student use!