Delfeayo Marsalis carries the musical legacy of his father to the stage and the studio as an internationally acclaimed trombonist, composer, and producer, and promoter of musical theatre and education. As a member of the illustrious Marsalis family (including patriarch pianist Ellis Jr. and brothers Branford, Wynton, and Jason), Marsalis was surrounded by music throughout his childhood, showing an aptitude for the trombone at an early age. He earned a dual BA from Berklee College of Music in Production and Performance, and a Masters from the University of Louisville. As a consummate performer, he has toured around the globe with his own ensembles and with such luminaries as Ray Charles, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, and Slide Hampton, and his genial personality and impeccable musicianship make him a perennial crowd favorite from local clubs to international festivals. His Uptown Jazz Orchestra has been a staple on the New Orleans musical landscape since 2008.
Marsalis is also a music educator and supporter of musical theatre. Inspired in part by another Marsalis brother, Mboya, who is autistic, Delfeayo founded the Uptown Music Theatre in 2000, a non-profit group that empowers young people through theatre training. He has written nearly 20 musicals for the group celebrating themes of history and unity. He has also written a number of works to introduce young people to jazz, and reaches thousands of students through his national “Swinging with the Cool School” education program.
He produced his first album at age 17 and continues to this day, at the console for over 120 recordings and earning a Grammy award and several nominations. He has released several albums as a bandleader, showcasing his virtuosity on the trombone and his prowess as a composer and arranger. His music seamlessly blends traditional jazz elements with modern sensibilities, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
In addition to the Grammy, Marsalis has garnered many accolades, including being named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, along with father Ellis Jr. and brothers Wynton, Branford, and Jason, in 2011.
