Ellis' Timeline

1934

Birth of Ellis Marsalis

Birth of Ellis Marsalis

Ellis Marsalis was born on November 14th.

1945

Studied at Xavier Jr. School of Music

Studied at Xavier Jr. School of Music

Studied Clarinet at age 11.

1949

Groovy Boys

Groovy Boys

First Pro Gig at age 13 with “The Groovy Boys”. Played Tenor Sax.

1951

Dillard University

Dillard University

Entered Dillard Universityb – New Orleans as a music major

1955

Graduated Dillard University

Graduated Dillard University

Began to seriously study piano.

1956

American Jazz Quintet

American Jazz Quintet

Recorded with Jazz group American Jazz Quintet on the AFO Label.

1956

Enlisted in Marine Corps

Enlisted in Marine Corps

Auditioned for Piano for Marine Group “Corps Four”.

1958

Return to New Orleans

Return to New Orleans

Returned to New Orleans after Marine Corps release.

1960

Just Married

Just Married

Married Dolores Ferdinand.

1962

Playboy Club

Playboy Club

Lead Trio at New Orleans Playboy Club

1971

Southern Rep

Southern Rep

Pianist for the Southern Repertory Theater in New Orleans

1974

Loyola University

Loyola University

Started graduate school at Loyola University of New Orleans.

1974

NOCCA

NOCCA

Accepted a position at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts

1982

Fathers and Sons

Fathers and Sons

Recorded Fathers and Sons with Branford and Wynton on the CBS Label

1986

Jazz Quartet in Southeast Asia

Jazz Quartet in Southeast Asia

Took Jazz Quartet on State Department sponsored Southeast Asian Tour

1986

VCU gets Jazz’ed

VCU gets Jazz’ed

Accepted position at Virginal Commonwealth University as coordinator of Jazz studies

1989

UNO Jazz

UNO Jazz

Accepted position at the University of New Orleans. Became the occupant of the Coca-Cola endowed chair for Jazz studies.

1990

Marcus Roberts

Marcus Roberts

Began a two year duo piano performance stint with Pianist Marcus Roberts

2001

Ellis’ “Retirement”

Ellis’ “Retirement”

Performed a concert at UNO Lakefront Arena celebrating retirement with sons.

2018

On The First Occasion

On The First Occasion

“On The First Occasion:” released by the relaunched ELM Records