Tomie dePaola and Ellis Marsalis -- R.I.P.

Two unfortunate deaths in the last several days from figures who produced high art in a popular art context: Tomie dePaola, author and illustrator of children's books; and Ellis Marsalis, New Orleans jazz pianist and father of a jazz dynasty.

We have read many of dePaola's books to our children over the years. He is best known for Strega Nona, which I suspect many of you know. Or you might remember Big Anthony. Or perhaps Pancakes for Breakfast. But he also wrote and illustrated many religious stories, including tales from the Bible or lives of the saints, such as Francis or Benedict and Scholastica. I especially like The Clown of God, which my own parents used to read to us during Advent when we were children.

And also Marsalis, whose skills as a pianist and teacher of jazz came to the notice of a wide audience in part through the music of his sons: Delfeayo, a trombonist; Jason, a drummer; and especially saxophonist Branford (whom I used to listen to during my own far inferior days of playing jazz sax) and trumpeter Wynton. Definitely the first family of American jazz during my lifetime.

R.I.P.

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