January 2015 Marsalis Music News

Wed, 2015-01-21


ELLIS MARSALIS SR. RECOGNIZED FOR CIVIL RIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS
Grandfather to Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis Sr. was an active member of the Civil Rights movement, founding an organization to help register African Americans to vote and opening the Marsalis Mansion Hotel in 1944 to provide a place for African Americans to hold meetings and to have fashionable lodging when segregation kept them from staying at most of the hotels in New Orleans. The Marsalis Mansion Hotel was home to guests including Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Ray Charles, and Etta James. Last week in Jefferson County, Louisiana, a roadside historic marker was erected at the former site of the motel to educate passersby of its historical significance. Read more about Ellis Marsalis Sr., his motel, and the historic marker’s unveiling ceremony via the Times-Picayune online: 

A NEW ORLEANS TRADITION - ELLIS MARSALIS JR. AT SNUG HARBOR
Son of Ellis Marsalis Sr. whose Civil Rights work was honored last week, and father to the Marsalis brothers who make up one of New Orleans’ greatest jazz families, Ellis Marsalis Jr. is a music educator, NEA Jazz Master, composer, and New Orleans legend. Mr. Marsalis often performs at the New Orleans club and restaurant Snug Harbor and seeing him perform there is highly recommended during a visit to the Crescent City. Check out the Snug Harbor calendar online for the latest updates.

BRANFORD MARSALIS TOUR DATES
For the latest tour information, please visit BranfordMarsalis.com