Jazz Fest 2016

House of Swing: Portrait of the 1^st Family of Jazz
By Paul Rogers

Note: Ellis Marsalis passed away in 2020. The ReMarque, C-Marque & Proof editions are signed by him.

Witness the legacy of Ellis Marsalis, envisioned in graphic master Paul Rogers’ emblematic image—a musical dynasty that gives new meaning to the idea of home schooling.  Before joining the faculty at the University of New Orleans he taught at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) where, along with his sons, Dr. Marsalis’ pupils included Harry Connick, Jr. (JF04), Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, and Kent and Marlon Jordan. Ellis and wife Dolores nurtured the first family of jazz; a family that swings like no other and furthers his prominence. Consider:

Branford brought New Orleans to Lionel, Miles, Dizzy, Herbie, Sonny, Sting, the Grateful Dead & the Tonight Show Band. He garnered three Grammy Awards, two for Best Jazz Instrumental and a third with Bruce Hornsby for Best Pop Instrumental. As a composer he earned a Drama Desk Award and a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. 

Wynton (JF02) was given his 1^st trumpet by Al Hirt (JF00) at age 6 when Ellis was Hirt’s pianist. Wynton earned unprecedented Grammy Awards for both jazz and classical music in the same year (1984), receiving a total of nine Grammys (so far). He co-founded New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center in 1987 and has led its Jazz Orchestra, in showcasing traditional Jazz alongside new compositions from around the globe. Wynton was also the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music (1997).

Delfeayo is one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today, known for coupling technical excellence, invention and imagination with dashes of humor. His mastery of recording technology began at home, when he was challenged to create a sound profile for his older brothers. He has produced over 100 recordings for, among many others, Harry Connick, Jr., Spike Lee & the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (JF14). His educational efforts include children’s book author and director of the Uptown Jazz Orchestra and Uptown Music Theatre.

Jason Marsalis is the youngest brother. His distinctive, polyrhythmic drumming style was evident by age 12, when he had his first professional gig with his father. Together with percussionist Bill Summers and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield he co-founded the Latin-jazz group Los Hombres Calientes in 1998, which he left at the height of its popularity in 2001 to explore other musical styles. This exploration ultimately led to his adding vibraphone to his percussive talents and the release of several albums featuring him as leader, vibist and composer.

Paul Rogers is no stranger to firsts and foremosts. He created the first Jazz Fest poster celebrating a Marsalis: Wynton (JF02). He is the co-author with Wynton of Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits (2005; winner of a Bologna Ragazzi Award; a Norman Sugarman Honor and an International Reading Association Children’s Book Award) and their 2012 follow-up, Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!: A Sonic Adventure. Rogers also collaborated on Bob Dylan’s Forever Young (2008) and has written or co-written many other books. 

Editions:

10,000 Numbered prints on archival paper, 22" x 34"
2,500 Artist-signed & numbered prints on 100% rag paper, 23" x 35"
750 Artist signed and pencil remarqued by Rogers and signed by Ellis, Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, numbered Remarque prints on 100% rag paper, 24" x 38"
300 Artist-overpainted, signed by the artist and the Marsalis family & numbered C-Marque canvas screen prints, 25" x 39" (unstretched size)

Poster originally sold for $69 (Unsigned), $239 (Signed), $595 (Re-Marque), $895 (C-Marque)

Poster specifications & digital image may vary slightly from actual print.