Ellis Marsalis Brings the Sounds of the Big Easy to the Kimmel Center
October 27, 2005
Elis Marsalis
Kimmel Center Presents celebrates the rich heritage of New Orleans jazz in Mellon Jazz up Close: One Nation Under Jazz: New Orleans with NOLA native and premier jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis in the intimate setting of Perelman Theater on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30pm. Marsalis is joined by Philadelphia’s high-powered pianist Orrin Evans for an unforgettable night of piano and the sounds of The Big Easy.
This performance is the second in the Mellon Jazz Up Close: One Nation Under Jazz series under the artistic direction of Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez. This series highlights the distinct contribution to jazz music by four unique American citites.Upcoming performances in the series include: Detroit with Geri Allen and Wallace Roney on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 7:30pm; and Boston with the Roy Haynes Quartet and Danilo Perez on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 7:30pm.
Tickets for One Nation Under Jazz: New Orleans are $41 and $36, and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online or at the Kimmel Center Box Office open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply) For group sales call 215-790-5883.
For over forty years Ellis Marsalis has touched the jazz world with his genuine love for music and devotion to the art of jazz. He is one of the leading Jazz educators in New Orleans and father to internationally acclaimed musicians Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason. During his career at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), Marsalis taught jazz greats including his sons, trumpeter Terrence Blanchard, pianist and singer Harry Connick, Jr. and saxophonist Donald Harrison. He has made several appearances on the Tonight show with both Carson and Leno, the Today show and the Arsenio Hall Show.
Marsalis began studying at age 11 at the Xavier University junior school of music, and graduated from Dillard University in New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in music education. He received his Master of Music Education from Loyola Unversity and went on to teach at the NOCCA, became a lecturer at Xavier University, adjunct teacher at Loyola University. In 1986 he held the position of Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and in 1989 returned to New Orleans to fill the Coca Cola Jazz Chair as Director of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of New Orleans, from which he recently retired.
Philadelphia’s own Orrin Evans has been acclaimed as “the clear-cut best pianist of his time” by Hot House Magazine. He has performed across the United States and overseas with musicians including Sam Newsome, Duane Eubanks, Reid Anderson, John Swana and Ralph Bowen and has been the piano chair in Bobby Watson’s band for the past six years. Also a teacher, Evans has toured as a musical commentator in various workshops, master classes and clinics. He has recorded nine CD’s including Meant to Shine, Dejavu and Easy Now. Evans’ formal study was under Charles Pettaway at Philadelphia’s Settlement School of Music.
Tickets for One Nation Under Jazz: New Orleans are $41 and $36, and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online or at the Kimmel Center Box Office open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply) For group sales call 215-790-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to evening performances and 11:30am for matinees.
Sponsors of the 2005/2006 Kimmel Center Presents season include Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Sovereign Bank, The American Express Company, and Verizon Foundation. Special Student Matinees at the Kimmel Center are generously supported by Merck & Co., Inc. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte and Southern Wine and Spirit.
NBC-10 is the official media partner of the Mellon Jazz series.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
One Nation Under Jazz: New Orleans
Saturday, November 19, 2005 | 7:30pm
Perelman Theater
Ellis Marsalis, piano
Orrin Evans, piano
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