Ellis Marsalis, Piano, 1934, New Orleans, LA
Ellis is regarded by many jazz lovers to be the most prominent modern jazz pianist in New Orleans. He began his formal studies at the Xavier University junior school of music when he was 11 years old. After high school he attended Dillard University and graduated with a degree in music education. After a stint in the Marine Corps, Ellis returned to New Orleans and married Dolores Ferdinand who bore him six sons; Branford, Wynton, Ellis 3rd, Delfeayo, Mboya, and Jason. Eventually Ellis became New Orleans' leading jazz educator. He became a lecturer at Xavier University and teacher at Loyola University. He also became a student at Loyola's graduate school and eventually earned his Master's degree there. He taught for many years at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Many of his former students are professional musicians both locally and internationally. Three of his sons, Branford, Wynton, and Delfeayo as well as Terance Blanchard, Donald Harrison and Harry Connick, Jr have since attained worldwide acclaim. His youngest son, Jason, is emerging as an important drummer. Ellis has made numerous appearances on national television shows. From 1986 to 1989he was coordinator of jazz studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1989 he went to the University of New Orleans to hold the same position in their jazz studies division. In 1989 he was honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree at Dillard University and remains the Director of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of New Orleans.
Billy Bauer, guitar, 1915, New York, NY
Billy played the banjo as a child, but switched to the guitar in the early '30s. His first professional gig was with the band of Jerry Wald, and then in1944 he joined Woody Herman's first herd. The group disbanded in 1946 and Billy went with Benny Goodman and then Jack Teagarden.He enjoyed his most creative period during the late '40s as a member of Lennie Tristano's group. It was here that he became an advanced bop stylist. He was known for his quick improvisations and his remarkably precise playing. He received awards from Downbeat and Metronome, and from 1947 to 1953 recorded with the Metronome All-Stars with the most prominent jazz musicians in the country. In the early '50s Bauer was with the NBC Orchestra and also taught at the New York Conservatory of Modern Music. He later worked with Benny Goodman and Lee Konitz. During the '70s and '80s he worked as a freelance and taught privately.
Clancy Hayes, Banjo, 1908, Caney, KS
