The corona virus claims another prominent victim: The world-famous US jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis (1934-2020) died in a New Orleans hospital on Wednesday of complications from a corona infection. His son, jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis (59), told the "New York Times".
Another son, jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis (58), also writes on Instagram: "Ellis Marsalis, 1934 – 2020. He went out of life the way he led it: he accepted reality."
New Orleans mourns
The Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell (47), also paid tribute to the musician after the news of his death became known. "Ellis Marsalis was a legend. He was the prototype of what we mean when we talk about New Orleans Jazz. The love and prayers of all our people go to his family and to everyone whose lives he has touched," wrote Cantrell pays homage to Instagram. "Ellis Marsalis was an icon – and words are not enough to describe the art, joy and wonder he showed the world."
She asked fans: "May we wrap his family in our love and gratitude, and may we honor his memory by coming together in spirit – even if the outbreak separates us for a while," Cantrell concluded her post.
In addition to the two sons already mentioned, Ellis Marsalis Jr. also left behind jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis (54) and jazz drummer Jason Marsalis (43) as well as Ellis Marsalis III (born 1964) and Mboya Kenyatta Marsalis (born 1971). His wife, Dolores Marsalis, died in July 2017 at the age of 80.