The renowned pianist died last week
This blog posted by Leigh Houck, 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis media relations intern
Ellis Marsalis, a renowned pianist and jazz legend, passed away on April 1 at age 85. His passing was due to complications from COVID-19. Marsalis had performed at 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis several times during his career, first at 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis Presents and later at The Mondavi Center.
Jeremy Ganter, director of programming at The Mondavi Center, penned a moving reflection on his brief but impactful interactions with Marsalis. While the two were not close, they met several times throughout Marsalis鈥 career as a musician and Ganter鈥檚 career at 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis.
In his reflection, Ganter recalls watching Marsalis perform in 2014 alongside his son Delfeayo Marsalis in their 鈥淭he Last Southern Gentlemen Tour鈥 at the Mondavi Center. Ganter was shocked to see that Ellis鈥 incredible musical talent persisted unwaveringly into his later years and: 鈥淗is brilliance, his impeccable touch, and his ability to swing (man did that show swing!) were all still there and in full effect. It was a night when we all felt extremely lucky just to be anywhere in the room.鈥 Ganter also recounts a casual dinner enjoyed with Ellis. He describes Ellis as quiet and reserved, but passionate when music became the topic of discussion.
Ganter wrote about the piano that still bear Marsalis' signature.
In those days, the tradition was to have high-profile pianists sign the huge, cast iron 鈥減iano plate鈥 inside 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis鈥 model 鈥淒鈥 Steinway. Marsalis signed during his 1993 visit. The piano has since been refurbished and refinished. It continues its heavy rotation in the Mondavi Center鈥檚 inventory and it still sounds great; if you鈥檝e attended a Mondavi Center concert with a pianist, there is a good chance you鈥檝e heard it.
Read the Jeremy Ganter鈥檚 full 鈥淭he Last Southern Gentleman: Remembering Ellis Marsalis鈥