VOA慢速英语--爵士巨星埃利斯·马萨利斯因新冠肺炎去世 享年85岁

Ellis Marsalis Jr., the jazz musician, teacher and head of a musical family has died after being infected with coronavirus.

He was 85.

Ellis Marsalis III, one of his sons, told The Associated Press that his father's death was caused by the coronavirus. He died after a battle with lung infections "brought on by COVID-19," his son said.

Four of the jazz musician's six sons are also musicians: Wynton, one of America's best-known jazz musicians, is the artistic¹ director of jazz at New York's Lincoln Center; Branford led The Tonight Show band and toured with Sting; Delfeayo is a recording² producer and performer; and Jason has his own musical group.

Marsalis made his career in New Orleans. He later joined his sons on tour as they played around the world.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said of the man: "Ellis Marsalis was a legend... He was a teacher, a father, and an icon³."

Harry⁴ Connick Jr. was one of Marsalis' students at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. Other well-known musicians from his classrooms include Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Victor Goines, and Reginald Veal⁵.

Marsalis was born in New Orleans. His father ran a hotel in an area of the city where African-American musicians stayed when they toured. At the time, African-Americans could not stay in downtown New Orleans hotels.

He played saxophone in high school. He also played piano by the time he went to Dillard University.

New Orleans was a traditional jazz town. Rock 'n' roll was the new sound in the 1950s. But Marsalis preferred bebop and modern jazz. His music has been described as romantic, modern, or simply "Louisiana jazz."

Marsalis joined the Marine⁶ Corps⁷ and played piano on a weekly military program for CBS television in New York. From the show, he said, he learned all kinds of music. Back in New Orleans, he worked at the Playboy Club and appeared again on TV as part of a jazz group.

In the mid-1970s, he taught at a special New Orleans high school for musicians. He also taught at Xavier University and the University of New Orleans.

On Wednesday night, Ellis III recalled how his father taught him the meaning of integrity before he even knew the word.

As young boys, Ellis and his brother Delfeayo went to hear their father play at a club. There was only one man who was sleeping and drunk in the club. The boys asked to leave.

Ellis said, "He looked at us and said, ‘I can't leave... I'm paid to play this set. I'm going to play this set. It doesn't matter that nobody's here.'"

Words in This Story

jazz - n. a type of American music with lively rhythms and melodies that are often created by musicians while they play

legend - n. a man of great stature⁸

icon - n. someone who noted⁹ for his greatness in a particular skill

saxophone - n. a musical instrument that has a curved metal tube and is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and pressing keys with your fingers

bebop - n. a fast complex type of jazz

integrity - n. the quality of being fair and honest

club - n. a place where people go to listen to live music and drink alcohol

1 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

2 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

3 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

4 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

5 veal   

n.小牛肉

参考例句：

• She sauteed veal and peppers,preparing a mixed salad while the pan simmered.她先做的一道菜是青椒煎小牛肉，趁着锅还在火上偎着的机会，又做了一道拼盘。
• Marinate the veal in white wine for two hours.把小牛肉用白葡萄酒浸泡两小时。

6 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

7 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

8 stature   

n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材

参考例句：

• He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。
• The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。

9 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。