Acclaimed as one of the leading trombonists, composers and producers in jazz, Delfeayo Marsalis will perform a free show at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua on Friday as a kickoff event for the upcoming Maui Jazz & Blues Festival at the resort.

A younger brother of Branford and Wynton of the legendary Marsalis family, Marsalis credits include years of touring with such legends as Art Blakey, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Max Roach and Elvin Jones.

“I always love coming to Hawaii,” Marsalis said. “It’s always a good time. I try to bring a lot of variety. What I play ranges from the New Orleans brass band tradition to the swing tradition, some bebop, and my favorite is what would be called modern jazz. I often look at our performances like it’s a 10-course meal. We’re trying to serve it up with enough variety, so at the end of the night everybody is like, ‘Man, that was a feast.'”

With Marsalis focused on creating music that makes people feel good, it’s hard to sit still listening to his exuberant album “Uptown on Mardi Gras Day,” with the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. DownBeat hailed it as “supremely funky,” while Glide Magazine praised it as “a set of joyous tunes celebrating Mardi Gras and New Orleans.”

“Jazz is the greatest popular form of music that America has created,” he said. “Our responsibility now is to keep those important ingredients, but also keep up with the times. So many people have come and said, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that jazz could be this much fun.’ One guy said to me, ‘You have a feel-good band.’ And I’m like, ‘What other kind of band could you have?’ When we’re really being effective, we’re able to cover all the ground, so people are really having a good time.”

Born in New Orleans in 1965, he was destined for a life in music. As a young child, he remembers lying under the family piano while his father, Ellis Marsalis, played. With Wynton focused on trumpet and Branford on sax, Delfeayo turned to the trombone.

“One plays sax, one plays trumpet; they needed a trombone,” he said, laughing. “I think the trombone kind of suits my personality being a middle child. The trombone generally keeps everything together, and that’s been my role.”

The spirit of New Orleans has long infused his music. “New Orleans music represents the greatest aspect of the ideals of this country in musical terms,” he said. “It’s like New Orleans is the true melting pot. New Orleans, in a lot of ways, is the last original city in America. I really think that it’s the infusion of not only the African traditions, but all of the immigrants who were able to come together and work together and bring the best of themselves. The African traditions are really stronger here than anywhere else in America.”

In tough times, musicians can play a vital role in uplifting their audience.

“I think musicians have to have the responsibility of remaining upbeat, especially the New Orleans musicians,” he said. “People need to be uplifted. When people come to New Orleans, they want uplifting music. That’s the big thing for me, understanding the importance of the music being uplifting. I’m trying to do what I can.”

Marsalis will perform a free show at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, at 6 p.m. Friday in the Alaloa Lounge.

Maui Jazz & Blues Festival highlights at The Ritz-Carlton also include a free show with Fast Freddy and the Blue Lava Blues Quartet at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 and a free Women in Jazz & Blues show with Dr. Joie Taylor (saxophone), Louise Lambert (piano), and Andrea Walls (violin) at 6 p.m. Oct. 21.

Also free on Oct. 22, the Maui Jazz & Blues Fest Trio will feature a special appearance by Grammy winner Kalani Peʻa performing with saxophonist Eric Marienthal, trombonist Charlie Halloran and The Iguanas saxophonist Joe Cabral.

A Cajun Zydeco Blues Jubilee on Oct. 23 features Wilson Savoy, Jourdan Thibodeaux, and Roddie Romero. Plus Chris Thomas King with the Maui Jazz & Blues Festival Trio. Cost is $10.

On Oct. 24, The Iguanas will perform, joined by Marienthal and Charlie Halloran. Cost is $10. The festival’s main event will be from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Aloha Garden Pavilion. Tickets are available at mauijazzandbluesfestival.com.