INTERVIEW: Delfeayo Marsalis

As images of elaborate floats descend down historic New Orleans streets and mid-air bead tossing continue into the late night hours, one can’t help but get swept up in the mardi gras madness. An album that perfectly encapsulates this distinct time of year and its special festive atmosphere is Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra’s “Uptown On Mardi Gras Day”. Whether it’s the “Mardi Gras Mambo” or the “Uptown Boogie”, this 2023 12-song offering takes the listener down to Bourbon St right quick.

Bringing a piece of NOLA to Southern California for the Jazz at Naz Fest recently, penciling Delfeayo and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra into the live concert calendar was a no-brainer. When reading his biography, It’s clear Delfeayo’s carved out his own path and legacy as a member of the “first family of jazz”. The fourth son in the Marsalis clan, as Delfeayo says it, the trombone “chose him” and the rest is history. Whether it be winning a Grammy for producing brother Branford’s “I Heard You Twice the First Time”, touring with musical greats like Ray Charles, Art Blakey, Max Roach and Elvin Jones or producing for several Spike Lee music soundtracks for his films, I figured he’d have some good stories to tell (he definitely did). Stream our interview soundclips below and get tix to see him in our tour this spring!