"New Orleans' venerable first family of jazz." — National Endowment for the Arts
For the past 30 years, the Marsalis name has been synonymous with jazz. Never before has a single family produced so many masters of an art form, and it is fitting that the National Endowment for the Arts recognized the Marsalis family with its Jazz Masters Award. Featuring standards and original compositions, The Last Southern Gentlemen Tour marks the first time that father Ellis Marsalis, Jr. has recorded and performed with his son Delfeayo. Recipient of the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival’s lifetime achievement award, Ellis Marsalis, Jr. is renowned as New Orleans’ premier modern jazz pianist and mentor to the most important jazz players today; Harry Connick, Jr., Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, and sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason were among his students. Named “… one of the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation” (San Francisco Examiner), Delfeayo Marsalis has toured with five world-renowned band leaders including Ray Charles, and is also a GRAMMY® award-winning record producer and composer. Don’t miss two of the members of this American musical dynasty when they take the stage!
