music redeems

Branford Marsalis talks "Music Redeems" and Party Songs

Publication: Artist Direct
Interviewer: Rick Florino
Date: October 5, 2010

There’s no better gift to dad than bringing the whole family together.

Jazz stalwarts, the Marsalis family, assembled at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. last year to honor dear old dad, Ellis Marsalis. Ellis is a recipient of the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and he’s been integral to the genre since he first picked up an instrument. The Marsalis family sold out the Kennedy Center for the event, and all proceeds were donated to the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music. In addition, team Marsalis recorded the show and released it as Music Redeems.
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Families That Play Together . . .

Publication: The Wall Street Journal
Author: Larry Blumenfeld
Date: September 23, 2010

A trumpeter squared his shoulders, issued short rhythmic bursts based on one note, and then built a crowd-pleasing yet complex solo. A drummer mined a flexible groove, sharing a glance now and then—locking in—with a pianist whose harmonic shifts urged along the song. The three musicians bore a striking resemblance to one another. No coincidence: The trumpeter and drummer were Adam and Zachary O’Farrill, 15 and 18 years old, respectively. The pianist was their dad, Arturo O’Farrill, whose distinctions at age 50 include directing the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.
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Submitted by Ben on October 6th, 2010 — 12:16pm

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

Branford at 50

Publication: The Gig
Author: Nate Chinen
Date: August 26, 2010

You read that headline correctly: saxophonist Branford Marsalis was born half a century ago today. Some of us will want a minute to absorb that information. Take one if you need it.

Branford has a new album out this week with the Marsalis Family, which is naturally part of his claim to fame. That’s not what I want to talk about here, though. I’d like to talk about the specific achievements of Ellis’ eldest son: as a saxophonist, as a bandleader, and as a public figure besides. (Forgive me, folks, this may get a little personal.)

To view this blog entry in full, please click HERE!

HCJ on Larry King Live and NBC's Nightly News!

Harry Connick, Jr. was featured on several television programs over this past weekend in conjunction with the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. In case you missed these appearances, here is a link to a clip from his discussion with Larry King and a link to his interview with Brian Williams. Both took place in his hometown of New Orleans. Enjoy!

Click here to watch a clip from HCJ’s discussion with CNN’s Larry King!

Click here to watch HCJ’s interview with Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News!

Exclusive – Branford Marsalis: New Orleans remains in crisis

Publication: Larry King Live on CNN.com
Author: Branford Marsalis
Date: August 27, 2010

Editor’s Note: Be sure to watch Harry Connick Jr. on LKL tonight from Musicians Village in New Orleans.  Also, check out the Marsallis Family’s new album, “Music Redeems.”  It benefits the Ellis Marsallis Center for Music.

Five years after Hurricane Katrina struck and decimated my hometown, I am certainly buoyed by the rebuilding successes of a city reinforced with an invincible spirit and proud of the strides we have made through our partnership with New Orleans Habitat and through the contributions of individuals from around the world. I am fiercely disappointed, though, by the inconsistency of the attention paid to this disaster between these anniversaries and the lack of a sustained, long-term approach to the rebuilding our city.

New Orleans remains in crisis.
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HCJ and Ellis Marsalis on AC360

In case you missed it, the video of Harry Connick, Jr. and Ellis Marsalis discussing the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in the Musicians’ Village of New Orleans with Anderson Cooper on AC360 last night is now available to be viewed online.

 

Please click here to watch the video.

Connick Jr., Marsalis Attend Event In Musicians' Village

WDSU.com
General Release
August 26, 2010

Musicians’ Village in the Upper 9th Ward was conceived post-Hurricane Katrina to give several generations of musicians and other families a community in which to live and prosper.

On Thursday, nearing the five-year mark since the storm, the milestone was celebrated in an area of the city that’s coming into its own.

The McDonogh 35 Choir helped mark the big moment, along with Harry Connick jr.

An oversized fleur de lis was raised to the top of the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, which is halfway finished.
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Submitted by Ben on August 27th, 2010 — 01:59pm

Harry Connick, Jr., Ellis Marsalis, attend ceremony for 'Center for Music'

Publication: NOLA.com
Author: Times Picayune Staff
Date: August 27, 2010

Musicians Ellis Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr. joined Mayor Mitch Landrieu on Thursday for a topping-off ceremony for the new Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in the Musicians Village.

Completion of the center is expected next year. It will serve as a center for the education and development of musicians.

The 17,800-square-foot Ellis Marsalis Center for Music will have three sections: a performance hall, offices, and a community room.

All 72 single-family homes and five duplexes in Musicians Village were constructed by New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers. The village stands on the site of Kohn Junior High School, which was torn down in the 1990s.

Check your local listings!

As we approach the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, many are taking a moment to reflect on the trials and tribulations of the people of New Orleans and to speak of the challenges they have faced and the victories hard won, their courage and the commitment to a revitalized and renewed Crescent City.

Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis and Ellis Marsalis will add their voices as some of America’s finest journalists retell the tale and look forward to the future.   Check your local listings for the following programs’ coverage commemorating the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (from the Musicians’ Village):

* Larry King Live – airdate 8/27
#AC360 – airdate either 8/26 or 8/27
ABC Radio – airdate this weekend
E! News – airdate this weekend
*#MSNBC’s Tamron Hall – airdate 8/27
The Today Show – live in the a.m. on 8/27
*#NBC Nightly News w/ Brian Williams – airdate this weekend
Good Morning America – TBA

*Branford
#Ellis

We thank you all for your support these past 5 years.  We are so excited about what we have been able to accomplish with your help.

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