The Marsalis Family News

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 — 11:16am

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 — 03:21pm

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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Submitted by Ben on August 27th, 2010 — 03:53pm

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.

Submitted by Ben on August 27th, 2010 — 01:57pm

Connick Jr., Marsalis Attend Event In Musicians' Village

Residents Hope For Still More Development Post-Katrina

Publication: WDSU.com
Author: General Release
Date: August 26, 2010

NEW ORLEANS — 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 — 12:59pm