Branford’s father Ellis Marsalis passes on April 1, 2020
In Branford’s statement on his father's passing, he says:
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Ellis Marsalis Jr., as a result of complications from the Coronavirus. He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and died peacefully this evening.
My dad was a giant of a musician and teacher, but an even greater father. He poured everything he had into making us the best of what we could be.