THIBODAUX, La. — Renowned New Orleans jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr. will perform on campus Thursday as part of Nicholls State University’s celebration of African-American History Month.
Free and open to the public, the event will begin at 7 p.m. in the renovated Mary and Al Danos Theater in Talbot Hall.
The 82-year-old Marsalis, regarded by many as the premier modern jazz pianist, has been playing jazz for more than 50 years. He has played and recorded with other well-known jazz musicians, including Cannonball Adderley, Nat Adderley, Eddie Harris, Al Hirt, Fathead Newman, Courtney Pine and Marcus Roberts.
Though he has released nearly 20 studio albums, Marsalis has devoted much of his time to education. He has taught at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the University of New Orleans and Xavier University. Some of his students include Terence Blanchard; Harry Connick Jr.; Nicholas Payton; and four of his sons, Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason.
In 2007, Marsalis received an honorary doctorate from Tulane, and in 2008 he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
For more information on the Nicholls African-American History Month celebration and a full list of events, visit https://www.nicholls.edu/news/2017/african-american-history-2.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 7, 2016
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
