Marsalis Family

The Marsalis Family: Music Redeems

Publication: Off-Beat
Author: John Swenson
Date: September 1, 2010

The family band has been a cornerstone of the American entertainment industry since the 19th Century, when singing families became the first domestic music stars. There’s something magic about the way blood relatives interact with each other spiritually and instinctively rather than technically. This is even more important in the African-American music tradition, in which musicians have learned from their relatives for generations. That special relationship is much in evidence on Music Redeems. Liberated from the critical necessity to make a Big Statement or define some new trend, the Marsalis family’s only agenda here is to enjoy playing together.
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Submitted by Ben on August 31st, 2010 — 04:21pm

For the Marsalis Family, Music Redeems

Publication: JazzPolice
Author: Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor 
Date: Thursday, 26 August 2010

When pianist/patriarch Ellis Marsalis retired from the faculty of the University of New Orleans in 2001, the school established a chair in his honor in the School of Music; the celebration concert was released as The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration (2003, Marsalis Music). Last year (2009), The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington, DC, presented Ellis Marsalis with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Another reason for a family celebration, the clan came together again, now released on Marsalis Music as Music Redeems. In addition to Ellis, the recording includes Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason, with support from bassist Eric Reavis and drummer Herlin Riley, guest Harry Connick, Jr., and brother Ellis III reciting an original poem.
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Submitted by Ben on August 26th, 2010 — 02:15pm

The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration

Liner Notes
02.04.2003

Many have tried, but prior to the evening of August 4, 2001, none had succeeded in bringing Ellis Marsalis and all four of his music-playing sons together on the same bandstand.   Dovetailing schedules is no simple matter for the members of the most prominent and active family in jazz.  It was not until the University of New Orleans scheduled a tribute concert to mark Ellis’ retirement from its music faculty and the establishment of a chair in his honor that the much-anticipated conjunction took place.  The event was guaranteed to be memorable, but could it live up to the expectations that had been building for the better part of two decades?
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Marsalis Family Program Notes

Marsalis Music
02.04.2003

Multi-generational jazz families were once the rule in New Orleans.  The music’s early history is filled with such storied names as brass band leader Henry Allen, Sr. and his son, trumpet great Henry “Red” Allen, Jr.; drum pioneer Louis Cottrell, Sr. and his clarinet-playing offspring Louis, Jr.; Onward Brass Band cornetist Edward Hall and his sons, clarinetists Edmond, Herb and Robert; and the celebrated Humphrey clan that included Jim, son Willie Eli, and grandsons Earl, Percy and Willie James.
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Submitted by Ben on February 4th, 2003 — 01:00am