Delfeayo Marsalis (/ˈdɛl fiː oʊ/; born July 28, 1965)[1] is an American jazz trombonist, record producer and educator.

1970), who has been diagnosed with autism and was the primary inspiration for Delfeayo's founding of the New Orleans–based Uptown Music Theatre.

Formed in 2000, UMT has trained over 300 youth and staged eight original musicals, all of which are based upon the mission of "community unity".

[citation needed] He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and in 2004 received an MA in jazz performance from the University of Louisville.

[3] Marsalis, with his father and brothers, are group recipients of the 2011 NEA Jazz Masters Award.