Ellis Marsalis News

French Ambassador Pierre Vimont presents Wynton Marsalis the insignia of chevalier of the Legion of Honor medal, France's highest distinction, in a very special ceremony at the French Embassy in New York by French Cultural Services.

"It's, like, overwhelming," David Kalwa said, looking around the gilded East Room.

Delfeayo Marsalis stood before Jefferson High School's first-period jazz ensemble and told the 25 young musicians to turn their sheet music around, that they were going to learn by listening, not reading.

Equally accomplished at jazz and classical music, bandleader and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis was the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize.

Delfeayo Marsalis' family obviously has a strong musical background. His father is legendary jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis and two of his brothers, Wynton and Branford, are well-known musicians.

Last Tuesday's blogroll update highlighted two things: 1) a lot of cool Jazz Internet 2) my forgetfulness.

Alongside siblings Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason, his musical education began early by way of his pianist/teacher father Ellis Marsalis Jr., and was fine-tuned later at the Berklee College of Music.

Yes, hea s the younger brother of Branford and Wynton, and the son of Ellis Marsalis, one of the deans of the New Orleans music scene.

New Orleans jazz percussionist Jason Marsalis will perform Sunday at Rocks on the Roof at the Bohemian Hotel on River Street.

Jeremy Davenport celebrates his new CD at the Ritz-Carlton on Sat., July 25. Trumpeter and vocalist Jeremy Davenport celebrates "We'll Dance Til Dawn," his new Basin Street Records collection of jazz standards and original compositions, during his regular gig in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel's On Trois lounge.

On Friday, July 24, the usual Friday night fixture at New Orleans' famed Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, Ellis Marsalis, trades the Big Easy for Manchester.

Fresh from a recent performance at the White House in Washington, D.C. one of the legends of modern jazz is set to perform at the Southern Vermont Arts Center Friday July 24.

Don't tell me you knew this record existed for almost a quarter of a century, because if you do, I won't believe you.

About 20 children from Floyd and Rocky Mount will join kids from around the country at the White House next week to hear a concert from country music superstars Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and Union Station.

SOURCE: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey Rifftides Washington, DC, correspondent John Birchard attended last week's descent of several Marsalises on the nation's capital.

Jazz great Duke Ellington once said, "If it sounds good and feels good then it is good." Washington, D.C.'s premier jazz festival, named in Duke's honor, promises all of the above and more.

Seguenon Kone leads a percussion and dance ensemble tonight and Saturday at Ashe Cultural Center.

Branford Marsalis will be touring Canada this summer with his quartet; starting in November, they're scheduled to tour Europe and the United States.

This week, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival here in Washington, D.C. presented a lifetime achievement award to New Orleans pianist Ellis Marsalis.

The online tour information service Pollstar has added a listing showing a performance by drummer Brian Blade on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the University of Missouri-St. Louis' Touhill Performing Arts Center .