New Orleans music legends Ellis Marsalis,Jr. and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, both considered trendsetters for their contributions to contemporary and traditional jazz, will be featured performers tonight at the “Coats for Kids” annual benefit concert at the Uptown Jewish Community Center, 5324 St. Charles Avenue.
Celebrated jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis, Jr. with CCJN editor Alan Smason. (Photo by Alan Smason)
The concert, which gets underway at 7:00 p.m., is part of the Cathy and Morris Bart Jewish Cultural Arts Month series of programs. It will also feature Jee Yeoun Ko, the chair of the Classical Instrumental Department at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). Attendees are urged to bring new winter coats to be distributed to children in need.
Marsalis is noted as a mentor to a host of talented performers including Harry Connick, Jr., Donald Harrison, Jr. and Terrance Blanchard. He is also the father of noted performers Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, all of whom have established solid careers in jazz.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band achieved worldwide fame for their innovative use of traditional rhythm and blues, Latin and rock and roll backbeats within a brass band setting. Their groundbreaking work led the way for those that followed including the Rebirth Brass Band and many others.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 504-897-0143.
