The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) will celebrate the life and legacy of jazz icon Ellis Marsalis Jr. at its 2025 Benefit Concert: A Tribute to Ellis Marsalis Jr. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 8 p.m. at the historic Orpheum Theater.
The evening promises a musical gathering of the Marsalis family, featuring performances by Grammy-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis, award-winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, and jazz drummer Jason Marsalis. In addition, the concert will showcase the world premiere of a new orchestral work by Pulitzer Prize-nominated composer Roger Dickerson, commissioned specifically for this tribute, with Branford Marsalis featured as soloist.
The program will weave a distinctly New Orleans tapestry, highlighting works by Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, and Ellis Marsalis Jr.’s own The Fourth Autumn. Also featured is Swing Symphony by Ellis’s son, Wynton Marsalis, with Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis joining as special guests.
“This concert is more than a tribute—it’s a statement about what music can do in our communities,” said LPO Executive Director Anwar Nasir. “By supporting this event, you’re helping us expand access to transformative musical experiences for students, families, and neighborhoods across Louisiana.”
Branford Marsalis expressed his excitement for the event, noting, “It’s always special to perform at home in New Orleans. I’m excited to join the LPO alongside two of my brothers in this special concert honoring our father.”
Ellis Marsalis Jr. had been scheduled for one of his final performances with the LPO in March 2020, a concert ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Less than three weeks later, the world lost the celebrated musician and educator. This tribute marks a long-awaited celebration of his immense contributions to music, education, and New Orleans’ cultural life.
Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased via www.lpomusic.com or the LPO Box Office at 504.523.6530. Sponsorships, starting at $500, offer special benefits, including an exclusive pre-concert reception for patrons at the $1,000 level and above. Proceeds will support the LPO’s education and community engagement programs, including LPO Academy, Soul Strings, and Musical Storytimes, which served over 42,000 individuals across eight Louisiana parishes last season.
For more information on tickets and sponsorships, visit www.lpomusic.com/benefit-concert.
