Branford Marsalis takes the baton as artistic director of Ellis Marsalis Center for Music

By Stacy M. Brown
Contributing Writer

(NNPA Newswire) — Grammy-winning jazz musician Branford Marsalis has embarked on a new chapter in his illustrious career by assuming the role of artistic director at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans. This significant appointment follows a period of introspection for Marsalis, who felt a compelling inner voice guiding him back to his roots.

Marsalis takes over the position from his late father, the legendary Ellis Marsalis, who died in 2020 due to COVID-19 complications. Dignitaries from the philanthropic world, including Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, are expected to attend the event.

The Marsalis family’s influence in the realm of jazz is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of New Orleans. Wynton Marsalis, Branford’s brother and a Grammy-winning trumpeter, currently serves as the director of the Lincoln Center. Delfeayo Marsalis, an acclaimed trombonist, tours with the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, while Jason Marsalis is a prolific session musician known for his drumming and vibraphone skills.

Wynton Marsalis highlighted his father’s dedication to creating a more conscious world through jazz and expressed confidence in Branford’s ability to carry on this high-minded spirit in the Crescent City.

“He is a fantastic teacher, dynamic musician, and engaged thinker,” Marsalis told ABC News about his father. “We all sleep better knowing that Branford will continue in the high-minded spirit we were taught in the Crescent City.”

Having Branford step in “is a dream come true. I can think of no one more suited, talented, or qualified,” added Harry Connick Jr.

Ellis Marsalis, primarily known as a jazz educator, left his mark on multiple generations through his teaching roles in the city’s public school system, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and various local universities. Renowned jazz figures such as Connick, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, and Nicholas Payton credit Ellis for his profound influence.

The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, situated in the 9th Ward – an area still recovering from Hurricane Katrina – opened in 2012 with a deliberate focus on delivering music education to underserved communities. Marsalis emphasized the center’s goal of using music as a gateway to intellectual curiosity and providing mentorship and guidance to young individuals.

The center’s curriculum, designed to engage students after school and throughout the summer, aims to inspire complex and curious thinking. While not seeking to turn all students into musicians, Marsalis envisions providing a liberal arts education through music, leveraging the full spectrum of skills in the industry, from sound engineering to computer coding.

Highlighting the piano as the fundamental instrument at the center, Marsalis explained its significance in offering a comprehensive view of music. He stressed that everything needed to understand music is directly in front of the pianist, fostering a unique and holistic learning experience.

Marsalis, relocating with his family from Durham, North Carolina, compared forming a vision for the center to the philosophy of jazz improvisation. He plans to spend the next few months observing classes, working with teachers, and shaping a vision that serves the best interests of the students.

Marsalis emphasized the value of letting people’s passions drive them rather than forcing them to be enthusiastic about music, reflecting on his father’s philosophy. He recalled his father’s guidance: “Only do it if you’re compelled to do it.” This philosophy, he believes, is crucial for navigating the challenges of a profession that demands genuine dedication and love.

This article originally published in the February 5, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.