Jason Marsalis at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center

We're live from the second weekend of the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series, produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and presented by Goldfarb Financial! Tonight, Jason Marsalis presents the rare works of his father, Ellis Marsalis. events.jazzandheritage.org About Jason Marsalis: From a young age, Jason Marsalis demonstrated the talent and ambition to become an exceptional musician. As the youngest son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, Jason is part of New Orleans' esteemed first family of jazz, alongside his renowned brothers Wynton, Branford, and Delfeayo. Jason's musical journey began at age three with a toy drum set, and by six, he was taking lessons from the legendary James Black. Throughout his childhood, he performed with his family and rapidly became a seasoned drummer. After studying at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Jason joined Marcus Roberts' trio in 1995 while pursuing further education at Loyola University. Over the years, Jason has played with numerous acclaimed musicians and formed the Latin-jazz group Los Hombres Calientes. Around 2000, he shifted focus to the vibraphone and began leading his own band, further showcasing his versatile musicianship. Despite challenges, including Hurricane Katrina, Jason continued to thrive, expanding his reach across various musical styles. His contributions to jazz were recognized when the Marsalis family received the NEA Jazz Masters award in 2009. Jason's later work included collaborations with artists like Bela Fleck and recordings such as "In a World of Mallets," which achieved significant acclaim. As a composer and performer, Jason Marsalis remains devoted to evolving his craft and enriching the jazz genre with innovative and passionate performances.