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2005 W.C. Handy Festival Musicians
The page listed here contains musicians who
have performed or will be performing at the W.C. Handy Music
Festival. It is not a complete list, and being listed here does
not imply that we recommend or endorse a musician. The Music
Preservation Society, Inc. will not be held liable for any damages
experienced as a result of linked websites or the content contained
therein.
2005 Headliner Concert Musician Biography
Ellis L. Marsalis, Jr.
Ellis Marsalis is regarded by many as the premier
modern jazz pianist in New Orleans. Born on November 14, 1934,
he began formal music studies at the Xavier University Junior
School of Music at age eleven. After high school Marsalis enrolled
in Dillard University in New Orleans as a clarinet major. He
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education
in 1955. Marsalis spent the next year working as an assistant
manager in his fathers motel business.
The following year Marsalis then joined the U.S. Marine Corps
and while stationed in southern California began honing his
skills as a pianist on a television show entitled “Dress Blues”
and a radio show called “Leatherneck Songbook.” Both shows were
sponsored by the Marine Corps. After completing a stint in the
Marine Corps Marsalis returned to New Orleans and married Dolores
Ferdinand, a New Orleanian, who bore him six sons; Branford,
Wynton, Ellis III, Delfeayo, Mboya and Jason.
In 1964 Marsalis moved his wife and family of, at the time,
four sons to the small rural Louisiana town of Breaux Bridge
where he became a school band and choral director at Carver
High school for two years. Returning to New Orleans he began
to freelance once again on the local music scene. Between 1966
and 1974 Marsalis would perform at the Playboy Club (New Orleans),
in the Al Hirt band (1967-1970), the Storyville Jazz band (1972-1973)
at Crazy Shirley’s night club, Lu and Charlies night club and
enter the teaching profession again as an adjunct professor
at Xavier University in New Orleans.
In 1986 Marsalis accepted the position of Commonwealth Professor
at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He
would spend two of the three years as coordinator of Jazz Studies
before returning to New Orleans and the University of New Orleans
to become the first occupant of the CocaCola Jazz Chair and
the Director of the Jazz Studies Division. He officially retired
on August 10, 2001. Marsalis has been the recipient of Honorary
Doctorate degrees from his alma mater, Dillard University and
Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.
Marsalis has been a guest on several network television shows,
including NBC’s “Today” with host Bryant Gumbel; the “Tonight”
show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno as hosts; the Arcenio
Hall show with pianist Marcus Roberts; the Charlie Ross show;
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood; ABC’s “Good Morning America” with
Spencer Christian and several local and regional television
shows. In 1984 Marsalis and New Orleans singer/actress Joanne
“Lady BJ” Creighton shared honors at the Ace Awards ceremony
for the best single music program on cable television. Marsalis
continues to be active as a performing pianist leading his own
group and has several recordings on the CBS-SONY label. He is
currently developing his own recording label, ELM RECORDS, with
his wife Dolores and son Jason. (Click
here for a printer-friendly version of this biography)
2005 W.C. Handy Festival Musicians & Websites
Click here to download the W.C.
Handy Music Festival Performer Roster (covers years 1970 through
2005)
Click here to download the W.C.
Handy Music Festival Headliners Roster (covers years 1982
through 2005)
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