Jazz Pianist Ellis Marsalis Passes Away Due To Coronavirus Complications at 85

Ellis Marsalis has sadly passed away at age 85 due to complications from coronavirus.

Variety confirmed the news with one of Ellis‘ sons, Branford.

“My dad was a giant of a musician and teacher, but an even greater father. He poured everything he had into making us the best of what we could be. And to quote my friend and Harvard Law professor David Wilkins, who just sent me the following text, ‘We can all marvel at the sheer audacity of a man who believed he could teach his black boys to be excellent in a world that denied that very possibility, and then watch them go on to redefine what excellence means for all time,’” Branford shared in the statement.

Ellis, from New Orleans, had a prominent music career as a jazz pianist, and was indicted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

Many other celebrities have also passed way from coronavirus.