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Ellis Marsalis Tickets

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On the schedule

Ellis Marsalis Tour Dates & Tickets

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Inside the performance

Sound, stage & company

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr. (November 14, 1934 – January 1, 2020) was a foundational figure in New Orleans jazz. Born in the Treme neighborhood, he became a master pianist, a devoted educator, and the patriarch of one of jazz’s most influential families. Across a storied career, Ellis balanced performance with teaching, shaping generations of musicians and preserving the spirit of New Orleans jazz. His approach to teaching—focusing on the person as a student—reframed how jazz education could be delivered in institutions and community settings alike. We’ve got you covered for Ellis Marsalis-related performances, tributes, and events, with reliable ticket access and straightforward, no-fuss purchasing.

The live experience

What reaches the room

Explore Ellis Marsalis’ legacy through his discography, the milestones of his teaching career at NOCCA, Loyola University New Orleans, the University of New Orleans, and Virginia Commonwealth University, and the ongoing influence he has left on jazz education. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, secure your seats for performances where his music continues to inspire audiences.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Ellis Marsalis’ career is defined by both performance and pedagogy. His nearly twenty albums feature nuanced piano work and a deep sense of melody, with charting successes like Loved Ones (Top Jazz #5) and Joe Cool's Blues (Top Jazz #3). His recognition includes the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship (2011) as part of the Marsalis Family, honorary doctorates (including Berklee College of Music in 2018), and induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame (2018). A posthumous Grammy Special Merit Award in 2023 honored his lasting impact on jazz. For fans and students alike, his music remains a touchstone for improvisation, harmony, and the educational ethos that guided so many through the decades.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Keep an eye out for Ellis Marsalis-inspired events, tributes, and concerts in the New Orleans area and beyond. We’ll help you secure your seats quickly and smoothly with clear, trustworthy ticket access.

The essentials

Quick Facts About Ellis Marsalis

  • Born November 14, 1934 in New Orleans; father to Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis.
  • Renowned educator who taught at NOCCA, Loyola, University of New Orleans, and Virginia Commonwealth University; famous quote: 'We don't teach jazz, we teach students.'
  • Recorded nearly twenty albums; several charted on Billboard Top Jazz Albums (e.g., Loved Ones No. 5, Joe Cool's Blues No. 3).
  • NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship awarded in 2011 as part of the Marsalis Family; honorary doctorates from Berklee (2018) and other institutions; Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee (2018).
  • Grammy Special Merit Award recipient (posthumously) in 2023.

The records

Ellis Marsalis Discography

  • Live at Jazzfest 2017
    2017 · Munck Music
  • The Ellis Marsalis Quintet Plays the Music of Ellis Marsalis
    2017 · ELM
  • On the First Occasion
    2013 · ELM
  • Pure Pleasure for the Piano with Makoto Ozone
    2012 · Verve
  • A New Orleans Christmas Carol
    2011 · ELM
  • An Open Letter to Thelonious
    2008 · ELM
  • Ruminations in New York
    2005 · ESP-Disk
  • Afternoon Session
    2001 · Music in the Vines
  • Duke in Blue
    1999 · Sony
  • Twelve's It
    1998 · Columbia
  • Loved Ones
    1996 · Sony Music
  • Joe Cool's Blues
    1995 · Columbia
  • Whistle Stop
    1994 · Columbia
  • Heart of Gold
    1992 · Columbia
  • Ellis Marsalis Trio
    1991 · Blue Note
  • A Night at Snug Harbor, New Orleans
    1990 · Somethin' Else
  • Piano in E
    1991 · Rounder
  • Syndrome
    1985 · Elm
  • Homecoming with Eddie Harris
    1985 · Spindletop

Ellis Marsalis’ career is defined by both performance and pedagogy. His nearly twenty albums feature nuanced piano work and a deep sense of melody, with charting successes like Loved Ones (Top Jazz #5) and Joe Cool's Blues (Top Jazz #3). His recognition includes the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship (2011) as part of the Marsalis Family, honorary doctorates (including Berklee College of Music in 2018), and induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame (2018). A posthumous Grammy Special Merit Award in 2023 honored his lasting impact on jazz. For fans and students alike, his music remains a touchstone for improvisation, harmony, and the educational ethos that guided so many through the decades.

Keep an eye out for Ellis Marsalis-inspired events, tributes, and concerts in the New Orleans area and beyond. We’ll help you secure your seats quickly and smoothly with clear, trustworthy ticket access.

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