Delfeayo Marsalis Orchestrates a Crescent City Celebration at SFJAZZ

The trombonist and "merchant of joy" discusses family legacy, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and bringing the high-voltage celebration of Mardi Gras to Miner Auditorium.

See the full show details and ticket information at the end of this feature. Listen to the full conversation with Delfeayo Marsalis below:

When trombonist and bandleader Delfeayo Marsalis describes his performances, he doesn’t just talk about music, he talks about flavor. "I often think of our shows as a 10-course meal," Marsalis explains. "We're gonna start off with the New Orleans flavor, something that's gonna really put you in the mood to have a good time." With his upcoming residency at the SFJAZZ Center landing squarely in the middle of Mardi Gras week, the timing is perfect for bringing that "Crescent City Joy" to the Bay Area at full voltage.

For Marsalis, a 2011 NEA Jazz Master and the third musical sibling in the contemporary jazz scene’s first family, the performance is more than a concert—it is an act of cultural ambassadorship. Born to Ellis and Dolores Marsalis in Kendall, Louisiana, Delfeayo grew up in a household where music was a shared language; he shared a room with his father while his brothers, Branford and Wynton, shared another. He credits his parents with shaping his approach to the bandstand, teaching him to use whatever tools were at his disposal to make a definitive statement.

That statement has taken many forms over a prolific career. Since producing his first album at 17, Marsalis has helmed more than 125 recordings, earning a Grammy and seven nominations. He built his bona fides on the road with legends Ray Charles, Art Blakey, Max Roach, and Elvin Jones. Yet his most enduring contribution may be the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO), which he founded in 2008 to carry the city’s street rhythms and swing tradition into the present.

The UJO functions as a working New Orleans dance orchestra, where traditional jazz, R&B, funk, and street rhythms share the same stage. "I'm just a believer that the music is not just what's on the page," Marsalis says. "The music is what you hear and what you experience." This philosophy led him to assemble a band that prioritizes the "feeling and essence" of the music over mere technical reading. The result is a 14-piece ensemble that captures the vibrant, living sound of a city in motion.

Photos provided by SFJAZZ

The group’s repertoire is a collection of stories and coincidences, often blending high-concept jazz with a touch of New Orleans chaos. Take, for instance, "Raid on the Mingus House Party," a piece born from a bassline Marsalis initially thought was "hip" before realizing it was the Spider-Man theme. The track honors Charles Mingus by using the instruments’ natural, potent registers and incorporating group improvisation to create a "pure cacophony" that mirrors the energy of a New Orleans street parade.

Similarly, "Sidewalk Sizzle," the opener of the orchestra's Crescent City Jewels album, was named by an audience member during a gig at New Orleans’ Snug Harbor. Marsalis had asked the crowd what the song sounded like, and a guest suggested it captured the heat of a sidewalk sizzle. This connection to the community is vital to Marsalis’ work. He recalls a conversation with Max Roach that reframed his view of greatness, seeing it not as an abstract ideal but as something found in everyday heroes and humanity. "That's kind of your understanding of humanity and people, and your ability to express that," he notes. "That's something I'm always trying to capture."

When the Uptown Jazz Orchestra hits the stage at Miner Auditorium, audiences can expect a performance as diverse as it is funky. The "10-course meal" will include traditional swing—a sound Marsalis says is vanishing from many modern jazz sets—alongside Carnival music and a tribute to the Black Masking Indians. "We’re gonna be 14 strong, and we’re gonna bring the party without a question," Marsalis promises. "That's what we do."

What to Expect at SFJAZZ

The performance features a carefully curated set that Marsalis likens to a multi-course culinary journey, moving from high-energy funk to soulful ballads. The emphasis is on the authentic swing tradition, which Marsalis believes is essential to the music yet often overlooked by modern large ensembles.

Because the show falls during Mardi Gras week, the set is heavily influenced by Carnival music and the "street-level" grooves of New Orleans. The 14-piece ensemble delivers a full, powerful big-band sound and features vocal powerhouse Tonya Boyd Cannon alongside a roster of elite players. The show also serves as a cultural tribute, with specific nods to traditions such as the Black Masking Indians.

Show Details

Artist: Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: SFJAZZ Center, Miner Auditorium

Address: 201 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Tickets: Available at https://www.sfjazz.org