A Jazz Celebration

Date: 08.05.2003
Publication: Marsalis Music

“For the past 20 years, the name Marsalis has been synonymous with jazz.”
Steve Jones, USA Today

“Form meets tradition, creativity trumps familiarity and blood runs thicker than water on this concert commemorating the ‘debut’ of the multitalented Marsalis family band.”
Fred Bouchard, Down Beat

“Ellis Marsalis – pianist, jazz educator, sire of champions…”
Doug Ramsey, JazzTimes
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By Don Heckman
Los Angeles Times
02.16.2003

In “The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration” (*** 1/2, Marsalis Music), the only nonmember of the family in the ensemble is bassist Roland Guerin. Beyond that, it’s all Marsalis: patriarch Ellis on piano, saxophonist Branford, trumpeter Wynton, trombonist Delfeayo and drummer Jason.

It took a tribute concert marking Ellis Marsalis’ retirement from his teaching duties at the University of New Orleans to bring father and four sons together on the same stage, in the same band, for the very first time.
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Marsalis Music
02.04.2003

Multi-generational jazz families were once the rule in New Orleans.  The music’s early history is filled with such storied names as brass band leader Henry Allen, Sr. and his son, trumpet great Henry “Red” Allen, Jr.; drum pioneer Louis Cottrell, Sr. and his clarinet-playing offspring Louis, Jr.; Onward Brass Band cornetist Edward Hall and his sons, clarinetists Edmond, Herb and Robert; and the celebrated Humphrey clan that included Jim, son Willie Eli, and grandsons Earl, Percy and Willie James.
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