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Marsalis, Delfeayob. c.1963, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The third offour musician sons of pianist Ellis Marsalis, he beganstudying trombone when he was 12 years old, thenwent to Berklee College Of Music. His professionalcareer as a performer was delayed because he took uprecord production, working on albums by his father,his brothers Wynton and Branford Marsalis andCourtney Pine. An eclectic taste incorporates classicalmusic and many areas of jazz. While he has expressedadmiration for trombonists Tommy Dorsey and JackTeagarden, his instrumental idol is JJ. Johnson.Marsalis's playing experience has all been at a very highlevel, including spells with bands led by Ray Charles,Fats Domino, Abdullah Ibrahim and Art Blakey. As heexplained to Derek Ansell in an interview for JazzJournal International, he is eager to develop his ownplaying style and to expand his own career which hashitherto been overshadowed by his more famous broth-ers.• ALBUMS: Pontius Pilate's Decision (RCA Novus1992).***

Marsalis, Ellisb. 14 November, 1934, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.Although he has never really been a revolutionaryband-leader or pianist, Ellis Marsalis' influence on theAmerican mainstream jazz scene cannot be over-esti-mated. As an inspirational figure to a new generation ofartists, and an educator and spokesman, this NewOrleans-born pianist is unrivalled. Marsalis' profes-sional music career began on tenor saxophone whilestill in high school, but he changed to piano a few yearslater, performing with such New Orleans-basedmodern jazz luminaries as clarinettist Alvin Batiste anddrummer Ed Blackwell. He spent a brief spell on thewest coast (he accompanied Blackwell out there, whowas going out to meet up with Ornette Coleman),before signing up for military service with the marines

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accompanying singers on CBS television, on theMarine-sponsored Dress Blues show. Back in NewOrleans during the early 60s, Marsalis' reputation as asensitive and versatile accompanist led to a job frontingthe house trio at the Playboy Club, where he accompa-nied stars vocalists such as Ernestine An^^rm anrlJimmy Rushing. He joined trumpeter Alboating trad band during the late 60s, awith the group on many popular Americshows, before leaving to join Bob FrenclJazz Band in 1970, continuing the all-rountion and understanding that has madeunique figure on the current scene. He wehis own highly successful modern jazz bammer James Black, enjoying a residency atOrleans' premier jazz clubs for a year andmid-70s, Marsalis began to turn his atte:furthering his involvement in education,teaching since the mid-50s, but now he b.in earnest on a jazz curriculum, and wasthe New Orleans Centre for the &(NOCCA) in 1975. As a teacher, Marszhave included many of the new generaOrleans-based modern jazz stars, includinVictor Goines, bassist Reginald Veal,Jordan, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, pHarry Connick Jnr. and, of course, his s:Wynton Marsalis (trumpet), Branford Mphones), Delfeayo Marsalis (trombonMarsalis (drums), who have affected thepermanently, with their emphasis on craftlearning. Ellis Marsalis is head of jazz ;University of New Orleans and a panellist,tor and board member for the National Eithe Arts and the Southern Arts Federation• ALBUMS: Piano In E (Rounder 1984)**iTrio (Blue Note 1990)****, Heart Of G1991)***, The Classic Marsalis (Boplicitywith Wynton Marsalis Joe Cool's Blues (ColumA Night At Snug Harbor, New Orleans (Evidetwith Branford Marsalis Loved Ones (Columbia

Marsalis, WyntonOuubu Orleans, Lo

Marsalis took up the trumpet at the ageaged by Tiis father, Ellis Marsalis, a piaiand teacher. His brothers, Delfeayo ;Marsalis are also musicians. Before enteryears he was already studying formally, 1taneously developed an interest in jazz. Tplaying included performing with amarching band led by Danny Barkeitrumpet concertos with the New OrleansOrchestra. Marsalis later extended his stthe USA's most prestigious musical educ;ments, Berkshire Music Center at TanglJuilliard School of Music in New York C

destined for great things. It was then that he joined ArtBlakey's Jazz Messengers, perhaps the best of all finish-ing schools for post-bop jazzmen. During the next twoyears he matured considerably as a player, touring andrecording with Blakey and also with other leadingjazzmen, including Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter.He also made records under his own name and,encouraged by his success, decided to form his ownpermanent group. In this he was joined by his brotherBranford. During 1983, he again worked with Hancock.The following year he recorded in London withRaymond Leppard and the National PhilharmonicOrchestra, playing concertos by Hayden, Hummell andLeopold Mozart - a side-step which led to his becomingthe unprecedented recipient of Grammy Awards forboth jazz and classical albums. He next toured Japanand Europe, appearing at many festivals, on televisionand making many recording sessions. By 1991, and stillonly just turned 30, he had become one of the best-known figures on the international musical stage.Insofar as his classical work is concerned, Marsalis hasbeen spoken of in most glowing terms. In his jazz workhis sublime technical ability places him on a plateau heshares with very few others. Nevertheless, despite suchextraordinary virtuosity, the emotional content ofMarsalis's work often hints only lightly at the possibili-ties inherent in jazz. Sometimes, the undeniable skilland craftsmanship are displayed at the expense of vital-ity. If compared to, say, Jon Faddis, eight years hissenior, or Clifford Brown, who died at the age of only26, then there is clearly some distance to go in his

s a player of emotional profundity.ALBUMS: with Art Blakey Recorded Live At Bubba's

Blakey Straight Ahead (1981)***,Wynton Marsalis (Columbia 1981)****, Think Of One(Columbia 1982)****, with Branford and Ellis MarsalisFathers And Sons (Columbia 1982)***, The Herbie HancockQuintet (1982)***, with Blakey Keystone 3 (1982)***,Hot House Flowers (Columbia 1984)****, Black Codes(From The Underground) (Columbia 1985)****, / Mood(Columbia 1986)****, Live At Blues Alley (Columbia1987)****, Marsalis Standard Time (Columbia1987)****, The Majesty Of The Blues (Columbia1988)***, Crescent City Christmas Card (1989)***,Marsalis Standard Time Volume 2 (Columbia 1991)***,Marsalis Standard Time Volume 3 (Columbia 1991)***,Thick In The South (Columbia 1991)***, Uptown Ruler(Columbia 1991)***, Levee Low Moan (Columbia1991)***, Tune In Tomorrow (Columbia 1991)***, BlueInterlude (Columbia 1992)***, Gift Movement 2-CD set(Columbia 1993)***, Resolution To Swing (Columbia1993)***, In This House, On This Morning (Columbia1994)***, with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Blood OnThe Fields (Columbia 1997)***, The Midnight Blues

#etaed3gmt+Xolume 5 (Columbia 1998)***.VIDEOS: Tha London Concert (Sony Classical 1994),wn/n Dn .Vterzc (Sony 1995).

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