Wendell Marshall


Wendell Lewis Marshall was an American jazz double-bassist.
Marshall was Jimmy Blanton's cousin. Marshall studied with the noted Ellington bassist, inheriting Blanton's bass upon his death. He attended Sumner High School and studied at Lincoln University, and in 1942 played briefly with Lionel Hampton, then served in the Army from 1943 to 1946. Following his discharge, he performed with Jimmy Forrest, Buggs Roberts, and Stuff Smith, then relocated to New York City, where he worked with Mercer Ellington. From 1948 to 1955, he performed with Duke Ellington. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with the Ellington band on November 13, 1948.
Following his time with Ellington, Marshall joined pit orchestras on Broadway, including Fiddler on the Roof and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. His freelance employers included Mary Lou Williams, Art Blakey, Donald Byrd, Milt Jackson, and Hank Jones among others. During 1955-56, Marshall, Hank Jones, and Kenny Clarke were the house rhythm section for Savoy Records. Marshall played on over 370 record dates, but made only one record as a leader, Wendell Marshall and the Billy Byers Orchestra.
Marshall retired from music in 1968, worked as an insurance agent and started his own insurance business in St. Louis in 1970. He died of colon cancer in 2002, aged 81.

Discography

as a leader
  • Wendell Marshall with the Billy Byers Orchestra
with Nat Adderley
With Gene Ammons
With Dorothy Ashby
With Shorty Baker and Doc Cheatham
With Louis Bellson
With Eddie Bert
With Art Blakey
With Kenny Burrell
With Kenny Clarke
With Arnett Cobb
With Earl Coleman
With Eddie Costa
With Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
With Duke EllingtonThe Duke Plays Ellington
With Jimmy Giuffre
With Grant Green
With Dodo Greene
With Tiny Grimes
With Gigi Gryce
With Jimmy Hamilton
With Coleman Hawkins
With Johnny Hodges
With Claude Hopkins
With Milt Jackson
With Willis Jackson
With Illinois Jacquet
With Bill JenningsEnough Said! Glide On
With J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding
With Lonnie Johnson
With Hank Jones
With Herbie Mann
With Jack McDuff
With Carmen McRae
With Gerry Mulligan
With Oliver Nelson
With Joe Newman
With Ike Quebec
With Betty Roché
With Charlie Rouse and Paul Quinichette
With Pee Wee Russell
With A. K. Salim
With Shirley Scott
With Al Sears
With Hal Singer
With Al SmithHear My Blues
With Johnny "Hammond" Smith
With Sonny Stitt
With Buddy Tate
With Clark TerryClark Terry
With Lucky Thompson
With Ben Webster
With Joe Wilder
With Ernie Wilkins
With Lem Winchester
With John Wright
With Larry Young