Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra
NEA Jazz Master and GRAMMY® award-winning producer Delfeayo Marsalis leads the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, a New Orleans big band that brings the passion, joy and culture of the Crescent City to every stage. Riffs, collective improvisation and second-line grooves, played with authenticity and a lot of fun.
New Orleans, live on stage
Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra
"Delfeayo Marsalis is a merchant of joy." — DownBeat
In 2007, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis formed the Uptown Jazz Orchestra to keep important jazz traditions alive: riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisation and collective New Orleans polyphony. He saw that the city's music community lacked young homegrown talent outside the brass band tradition, so he built an orchestra that could play traditional, classic and modern music with authenticity.
The orchestra has grown into one of the premier large ensembles in jazz. Its albums include Make America Great Again!, Jazz Party (2020) and Uptown on Mardi Gras Day (2023), a celebration of a century of New Orleans carnival anthems, R&B, funk and street rhythms.
Delfeayo has toured with Art Blakey, Max Roach, Ray Charles, Elvin Jones and Slide Hampton. He began producing records at 17 and has produced more than 125 albums, winning a GRAMMY® for his production work with his brother Branford. In 2011 he was named an NEA Jazz Master with his father, Ellis, and his brothers.
Off the bandstand, he founded Swinging with the Cool School, a playful introduction to jazz for young listeners and adults, and since 2021 the orchestra has produced the annual Jazz at Congo Square Festival in New Orleans.
Why we love this group
- This ensemble will likely get even the most reserved audience member up and dancing. We all work in the fine arts, so you know the type of person we mean. It is always hilarious and endearing to see.
- Live shows bring the passion, joy and culture of New Orleans straight to audiences, without the heat, crowds and tourist traps of a trip to the Crescent City.
Highlights
Named in 2011 with the Marsalis family.
More than 125 albums produced, starting at age 17.
New Orleans jazz, R&B, funk and street rhythms (2023).
Produced by the orchestra in New Orleans every year since 2021.
A concert for every audience
Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra play performing arts centers, jazz clubs, festivals and universities across North America.
Selected stages and presenters
- SFJAZZSan Francisco, CA
- Monterey Jazz FestivalMonterey, CA
- BirdlandNew York, NY
- Blues AlleyWashington, DC
- Louisiana Philharmonic OrchestraNew Orleans, LA
- Pittsburgh Cultural TrustPittsburgh, PA
- Longwood GardensKennett Square, PA
- Musical Instrument MuseumPhoenix, AZ
- Tucson Jazz FestivalTucson, AZ
- Overture Center for the ArtsMadison, WI
- Artis—NaplesNaples, FL
- National Gallery of ArtWashington, DC
Bring Delfeayo Marsalis to your stage
New Sound Arts can help you plan a concert, Mardi Gras celebration or campus residency with Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra.
mike@newsoundarts.com
marie@newsoundarts.com
Delfeayo Marsalis
Having shared the bandstand with jazz legends Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Max Roach and Slide Hampton, GRAMMY® award-winning producer and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis teaches students how to maintain the aural tradition, find the funk inside the swing, capture the New Orleans spirit and, most importantly, have fun learning to play jazz.
Book a master class
What students take away
In their words
“Instructs students and professionals with profound insightfulness, academic engagement, critical analysis, and authenticity.”Mondre Moffett, North Carolina A&T
“Fun, engaging and very effective educational techniques. I have never seen my jazz ensemble students smile so much during a concert!”Paul Carr, Gettysburg University
“Delfeayo has an infectious love of music, encouraging students while working on solos, styles, groove, and elements specific to performance.”Scott R. Porter, Conard High School, W. Hartford, CT
“Really hit the sweet spot in pushing the students to go farther, but in a way that they felt challenged, never threatened.”Bill Lawing, Davidson College
Schools that have hosted Delfeayo
From high school jazz bands to university programs, Delfeayo works with students and professionals alike.
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC
- Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA
- Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR
- Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA
- Stephen F. Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX
- University of FloridaGainesville, FL
- Penn State UniversityUniversity Park, PA
- Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
- Davidson CollegeDavidson, NC
- University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA
- UC DavisDavis, CA
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL
- SUNY Fredonia School of MusicFredonia, NY
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
- University of DenverDenver, CO
- North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC
- Cal State University, ChicoChico, CA
- Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead, MN
- Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park, KS
- New Trier High SchoolWinnetka, IL
- Hall High SchoolWest Hartford, CT
Bring Delfeayo Marsalis to your students
New Sound Arts can help you plan a master class, residency or concert with Delfeayo Marsalis. Learn more about Delfeayo at dmarsalis.com.
mike@newsoundarts.com
marie@newsoundarts.com