Event

Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet

Rudy's Jazz Room welcomes the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet. Jason Marsalis, a member of the Marsalis family of musicians, continues to grow and develop as both a composer and performer. With fire in his heart and passion for his music, Jason's will to swing has never been more resolute. The maturity and the command he possesses over his music is clearly evident to those who have heard or seen him.

Marsalis was born in New Orleans, the son of Dolores and Ellis Louis Marsalis, Jr., a pianist and music professor. His brothers are Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis III, Delfeayo Marsalis, and Mboya Kinyatta. Branford, Wynton, and Delfeayo are also jazz musicians.

Marsalis studied percussion at Loyola University New Orleans. He worked as a sideman in mainstream jazz, funk, and jazz fusion groups; a Brazilian percussion ensemble (Casa Samba); and a Celtic music group. He introduced percussionist Bill Summers to trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, and they founded Los Hombres Calientes. Marsalis then joined pianist Marcus Roberts. He has also played with John Ellis, Michael White, Shannon Powell, and the Marsalis family. He and his brothers and their father were named NEA Jazz Masters. He is featured in Tradition Is a Temple, a documentary about New Orleans.

In 2009, Marsalis released his first album as a leader on vibraphone, entitled Music Update. The album received 4.5 out of 5 stars in DownBeat magazine. In The New York Times Ben Ratliff said that Marsalis was "an excellent musician trying out something risky without embarrassment."