Branford Marsalis Appointed Artistic Director at the Ellis Marsalis Center

Renowned jazz saxophonist and Grammy awardee Branford Marsalis is returning to his roots with a significant new role in New Orleans. Known for his contributions in music which range from movie scores to leading the band on The Tonight Show, Marsalis joins the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music as its new artistic director. The appointment takes place in his native city, honoring his father's legacy.

A Tribute to His Father's Legacy

The center, which bears the name of his father, the late Ellis Marsalis, stands as a beacon of musical and cultural education for both children and adults. Ellis, who passed away in 2022 due to COVID-19, was not only a jazz pianist with regular performances in the city but also a revered music educator. He previously held the post of artistic director after the center's inauguration in 2012, making Branford's succession a fitting homage.

Continuing the Family Tradition

Branford, whose brother Wynton Marsalis is also a noted trumpeter and composer, assumes this new responsibility with pride and reverence for his father's work. He aims to follow in his father's footsteps as both a teacher in life and music, striving to fulfill the very role his father exemplified. The Ellis Marsalis Center is strategically placed within Musicians’ Village, created to assist musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Branford, alongside musician Harry Connick Jr., played a crucial role in the village's development in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Embracing this new position, Branford Marsalis steps forward to guide the next generation of musicians, ensuring the vibrant tradition of New Orleans music thrives for years to come.

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