Jazz legend Ellis Maralis has died of possible Covid 19 complications

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Marsalis is the father of internationally-known jazz musicians Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis. Two other sons, Ellis III and Mboya, did not follow their father into music.

In December, Marsalis retired from his regular gig at Snug Harbor, where he had performed each week for more than 30 years. But he vowed to return as a special guest, accompanying other performers, including his son Jason.

In addition to his own musical career, Marsalis was well-respected as a jazz educator at the University of New Orleans, Xavier University and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

His many prominent students included Harry Connick Jr., Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison Jr., Nicholas Payton, Kent and Marlon Jordan and Irvin Mayfield, plus the four of his sons who became professional musicians.

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