We are saddened to hear the recent passing of three remarkable jazz musicians, Ellis Marsalis, Wallace Roney, and Bucky Pizzarelli.

Ellis, who left us on April 1, 2020 at age 85, was incredibly well-respected by both musicians and music lovers alike. Ellis leaves behind a legacy of being a catalyst in the late-20th-century traditional jazz resurgence, through both his own playing and that of his sons.

“Ellis Marsalis was a jazz patriarch in every possible sense of the word, and his progeny extends well beyond the Marsalis family tree. A mentor to countless musicians, he lives on in their sounds,” shares ArtistWorks jazz drumming master Peter Erskine. “His example of selfless encouragement should serve to remind us all of the somber yet joyful responsibility of paying it forward. He made the world a better place.”

Perhaps best known for his endorsement from mentor Miles Davis, trumpet prodigy Wallace Roney cemented himself as a jazz celebrity early into his career. Wallace passed away on March 31, 2020 at age 59.

Wallace’s impressive resume includes just under twenty albums as a bandleader, and collaborations with such heavy-hitters as Chick Corea, Kenny Barron, and Art Blakely. He would go on to take home a Grammy for 1994’s A Tribute to Miles.

Seven-stringed jazz guitar legend, New York nightclub staple and friend of ArtistWorks, Bucky Pizzarelli left us on April 1, 2020 at age 94.

On top of his lengthy discography, Bucky accomplished many impressive feats during his 76-year-long career, including a stint in Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band and performing for presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, as well as First Lady Pat Nixon. Pizzarelli was also one of the celebrated “Benedetto Players”. 

Below are some pictures of Bucky performing at the home of ArtistWorks CEO Patricia Butler and Chairman David Butler before a Benedetto Guitars and Miner Family Wines concert in Napa (2008).