top of page

Ellis

Memorial

Ellis Live at Snug Harbor 2005

The Park

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro and New Orleans Jazz Celebration believe that Ellis Marsalis deserves a prominent place in New Orleans history and its landscape. The jazz club has created a petition on Change.org that asks the City of New Orleans to honor the recently passed jazz legend by renaming Washington Square Park on historic Frenchmen Street, located just steps away from the jazz club where Ellis held his weekly music residency for more than 30 years, to Ellis Marsalis Square. Mr. Marsalis was the father of modern jazz in New Orleans, teaching and influencing countless musicians over five decades and literally fathering four major jazz stars. He performed at Snug Harbor, a half block from the park, for over thirty years before dying from Coronavirus complications on April 1st, 2020.

​

Located at 700 Elysian Fields Avenue on three acres of land, the park is lined with grandiose oak trees, a walking path and a playground for the community’s youth. This plot of land comes at the end of one of the city’s most musically rich stretch of street. Known around the world for its culture and music, Frenchmen Street has hosted some of the country’s most revered New Orleans performers including Allen Toussaint, Harry Connick Jr, Mose Allison, Kermit Ruffins, the Neville Brothers, Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo & Jason Marsalis and of course Ellis Marsalis Jr.

 

Help us honor and remember him by signing the petition below and push to have the park renamed in memory of him and his contributions to the New Orleans community. 

​

Sign the Petition Here:

Washington Square in New Orleans to be renamed for jazz legend Ellis Marsalis

Ellis-Marsalis-obit.jpg
logo-change.png

In honor of the passing of beloved musician, composer, educator and 30-year Snug Harbor artist in residence Ellis Marsalis Jr. on April 1st 2020, Snug Harbor has hosted weekly livestreams from its social media channels on Fridays at 8:00pm cst ~ the time that Ellis would normally be playing live with his band at the club.

 

Since the jazz community cannot gather in person for proper memorials for Ellis Marsalis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these livestreams feature different New Orleans musicians each week paying their personal tributes to the man nicknamed “E” by his friends and associates, a man that impacted them so much, both musically and personally. Each artist presents music inspired, or composed by Ellis, interspersed with stories and memories of times with him.

 

The series is dubbed "E-Day Live" because this is the Livestream version of what eventually will be a proper memorial tribute for Marsalis. Online donations during each broadcast directly support the participating musicians in this time of need. These Friday night livestreams are slowly coming to an end with only a few more performances left, be sure to tune in while you can!

​

Where to watch past performances:

Snug Harbor's Facebook Page

The Series

Trombonist
Delfeayo Marsalis 

July 3rd

Delfeayo is one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today. Known for his “technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor…” (Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times), he is “…one of the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation.” (Philip Elwood, San Francisco Examiner.) In January 2011, Delfeayo and the Marsalis family (father Ellis and brothers Branford, Wynton and Jason) earned the nation’s highest jazz honor – a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. Early influences included J.J. Johnson, Curtis Fuller, Al Grey, Tyree Glenn, Tommy Dorsey and Ellington’s trombone masters. From the age of 17 until the present, he has produced over 100 recordings for major artists including Harry Connick, Jr, Spike Lee, Terence Blanchard, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and his father and brothers. Marsalis is an exceptional trombonist who has toured internationally with his own groups, as well as those led by five renowned bandleaders.

Trumpeter
Ashlin Parker

June 19th

A versatile jazz trumpeter based in New Orleans, Ashlin Parker is sought after for big band, small ensemble, and solo performances. Ashlin leads the Trumpet Mafia and plays regularly with ensembles in New Orleans, such as  The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and Bill Summers and Jazalsa. Ashlin was a regular in the Ellis Marsalis Quintet at Snug Harbor. He has played on more than 30 albums with other musicians and has featured solos on albums such as the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra’s Songs: The Music of Allen Toussaint (2019) and Live at Newport (2017), Tiffany Austin’s Unbroken (2018), Ellis Marsalis’ Ellis Marsalis Quintet plays Ellis Marsalis (2017), and Jason Marsalis’ Heirs of the Crescent City (2016). Honors include sharing in the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra’s debut album, entitled Book One. Trumpet Mafia won the OffBeat Magazine’s 2017 Best of the Beat Award: Emerging Artist of the Year. Ashlin won the French Quarter Fest, Inc. 2018 Spirit of Satchmo Award for his musical contributions to New Orleans. 

Bassist

James Singleton

May 29th

Composer, bassist, band leader and multi-instrumentalist James Singleton is known for presenting true modern experimental jazz which also draws from rock and orchestral roots. He is a conduit of pure energy.  James has performed in concert with such modern jazz musicians as John Abercrombie, John Scofield, Art Baron, Earl Turbinton and Eddie Harris. James had played with the Ellis Marsalis Quartet for a number of years in the 1980s into 1990s. He has appeared with swing and traditional greats Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Lionel Hampton, Arnette Cobb and Banu Gibson. His extensive recording credits include work with Chet Baker, Alvin "Red" Tyler, James Booker, Charlie Rich and Zachary Richard. James has been a part of the all star jazz band Astral Project for 32 years and produced the groups  album "Elevado". He is also leader of the experimental group 3 Now 4, which has released a self-titled debut and the new "Book of Spells" (G.E.S.).

Pianist

Kyle Roussel

May 15th

Kyle Roussel is a dynamic example of a modern New Orleans musician forging his own path while collaborating with a variety of musical masters. A graduate of the famed New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and the University of New Orleans began playing the piano at age nine; studying classical music before moving on to perform in church and explore jazz in his teenage years.  Kyle received personal piano lessons from Ellis at his home after Ellis stopped giving lessons. These days, Kyle is equally adept in the worlds of jazz, classical, funk, gospel, rhythm and blues, and rock- his diverse influences shaping his personal musical identity and providing inspiration at every turn.  Kyle currently performs all around the US, with other engagements taking him all over Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and Africa with stalwarts such as The Headhunters, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Irma Thomas,  The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Christian Scott, Donald Harrison Jr., Delfeayo Marsalis, John Boutte, Kermit Ruffins, Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, James Rivers, Roland Guerin, Bonerama, Glen David Andrews, Mia Borders, Khris Royal, and Topsy Chapman. One thing is clear to anyone who is paying attention: Kyle Roussel has only just begun to leave his mark on the world of music.

Drummer

Jason Marsalis

May 1st

Jason, a multi-talented performer, is both a great drummer and a great vibraphonist. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him. 

Saxophonist

Derek Douget

April 17th

Saxophonist Derek Douget serenades audiences with equally powerful and melodic vibes as he switches between alto, soprano, and tenor sax throughout his sets. A native to Gonzales, Louisiana, Douget contains an advanced jazz dexterity that is reminiscent of Sidney Bechet and old world New Orleans. Notably, he performed on the 2010 Grammy Winning Album “Book One” with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. The Grammy was awarded for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. He was a featured player in the Ellis Marsalis Quintet.

Drummer
Jason Marsalis 

June 26th

Jason, a multi-talented performer, is both a great drummer and a great vibraphonist. With a fire in his heart and a passion for the music, his will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him. 

Saxophonist

Victor Goines

June 12th

Jazz saxophonist and clarinetist Victor Goines is widely recognized as one of the most engaging and versatile performers and composers in music today. Drawing from his New Orleans roots, his extraordinary career includes performances throughout the world earning acclaim from audiences, critics and colleagues. Goines has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Wynton Marsalis Septet since 1993. He has record on over seventy releases including Marsalis' Pulitzer Prize winning recording Blood on the Fields and Ted Nash's Grammy Award winning Presidential Suite. A gifted composer, Goines has more than 100 original works to his credit. In 2000, he was commissioned by Juilliard's Dance Division to compose a musical work in celebration of their 50th Anniversary. The composition Base Line premiered in 2002 to support the original choreography by Juilliard alumnus Robert Battle. He has also performed with a plethora of jazz and pop artists including Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, B.B. King, Lenny Kravitz, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Willie Nelson, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder. 

Pianist

Larry Sieberth

May 22nd

Pianist, composer, synthesist and producer Lawrence Sieberth is at home in virtually any musical setting. While based in jazz, Lawrence’s musical vision is not limited by genre barriers--he prefers to integrate the many facets of music and performance into an engaging, inclusive experience. His own neo-bop improvisations and experimental inclinations combine with his classical and world music influences providing an extensive musical vocabulary for both performances and compositions for television, film, and stage.  His local ensembles vary from New Orleans traditional to questing improvisations, from the avant-garde to mainstream jazz and R&B. Having resided in New Orleans for 40 years, he has performed at virtually every venue in New Orleans, from small clubs to the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival where he has been a regular featured artist and musical director for over 30 years. Larry has  been playing at Snug Harbor since it opened its doors with Ramsey McLean and the Lifers, alongside Charles Neville and James Black. He received his first compositional award from the CAC in 1984 which led to the first performance and recording of his jazz quartet. Larry has been a commissioner on the Louisiana Music Commission and was honored by New Orleans Magazine as outstanding contemporary jazz pianist. His CD Heartstrings was a finalist in Jazziz magazine’s Ê»Keyboards on Fireʼ special issue. 

Masakowski Family

May 8th

Born and steeped in the musical roux of New Orleans, the MAZ Family, consisting of Steve on guitar and his children Martin and Sasha, have been performing together professionally for nearly a decade. Steve Masakowski has long been regarded as one of the top Jazz artists from New Orleans. Born and raised here, Steve has played guitar with most of the city’s greatest musicians including Alvin “Red” Tyler, Ellis Marsalis, Danny Barker, Earl Turbinton, and James Black. Steve and Ellis played as a duo for many years at Tyler's Beer Garden in the 1980s. He has twice been voted “Best Guitarist,” and won “Best Contemporary Jazz Group” three times by Gambit and Offbeat magazines in their annual reader’s polls. He is frequently recognized by Down Beat magazine as "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition". Influenced by their musician parents, Sasha and Martin have been playing jazz and also carving their own creative paths by exploring genres such as electronic, gypsy, Middle Eastern, and art rock music, traveling extensively across the globe as performing artists. Steve, a legendary and highly acclaimed jazz guitarist and longtime member of the group Astral Project, is also the director of the Jazz Studies program at the University of New Orleans.

Drummer

Herlin Riley

April 24th

In this town full of first class drummers, Herlin Riley is “the” drummer. The Baron of the Boom Boom. The Pulse that keeps the life flowing through any body of work. Born into a musical family steeped in gospel, blues and jazz, Wynton Marsalis asked him to join him in New York in 1988 and to this day, is still a frequent guest artist with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and other special projects. He lights up a stage with just his presence and always fires up the first class jazz artists who love to play with him. On his own shows at Snug Harbor, Herlin always gives a shout out to Ellis and wrote a song in his honor.

Pianist 

David Torkanowsky

April 10th

Torkanowsky's five-decade musical career began before he was born. His father was maestro of the New Orleans Symphony for more than a decade and his mother — a flamenco dancer — performed in Spain with the great Carmen Amaya. As a piano player and band leader, David Torkanowsky is equally comfortable pushing the edges of jazz, funk, blues and rhythm and blues. Aside from his solo projects, Torkanowsky has collaborated with so many musical legends — Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Danny Barker, Stanton Moore, Earl Turbinton, Tony Dagradi, George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste, Dianne Reeves and Errol Garner, among them — that he now enjoys his own legendary patina. 

Past Performances

bottom of page