Legendary jazz musician dies at 85 of coronavirus

Legendary New Orleans jazz musician Ellis Marsalis Jr has died at the age of 85 from complications of coronavirus.

The pianist and educator was the patriarch of a legendary musical family. His son Branford Marsalis told the New York Times that his father had died due to COVID-19.

Ellis Jr was the father of four musical sons.

He died on Wednesday, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music director Emeritus Quint Davis announced.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell released a statement following the sad news.

She said: “Ellis Marsalis was a legend. He was the prototype of what we mean when we talk about New Orleans jazz.

“He was a teacher, a father, and an icon – and words aren’t sufficient to describe the art, the joy and the wonder he showed the world.”

Ellis has six sons, and four of them followed in his musical footsteps, each establishing their own lasting careers in the jazz industry.