A Jazz Patriarch Has Passed. Covid-19 Test Pending
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I remember when in medical school, I had heard that a trumpet player named Wynton Marsalis was up for two Grammy awards and was to play a concert earlier in that same week at Gilly's, a jazz club in Dayton Ohio. I knew I just had to see this up and coming musician. On the bill with Wynton was a brother named Branford, and their father Ellis. What an amazing treat. Ellis was so amazing of a leader, and quit a humor at introducing songs. He also stopped a song in mid-intro when the bass player was not putting down the lines quit right, apologized to the audience, gave a nurturing lecture to the bassist as to the line he intended, and restarted the song in perfect style. What an educator and professional.
Oh by the way, the price I paid for that ticket: $6.00! Later that week, Wynton won his first two Grammy awards, one in classical, the other in jazz. Price of tickets to see Wynton went up soon thereafter, for sure!
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I hope Wynton and his siblings stay safe. That is so sad about his dad.
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It was just announced, he died of pneumonia and his Covid-19 testing was positive.
