Wendell Marshall

Wendell Lewis Marshall (October 24, 1920 – February 6, 2002) 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 24, 1920 (St. Louis (independent city in Missouri, United States)), Died February 6, 2002 (St. Louis (independent city in Missouri, United States) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1942 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 79 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 70771 10-in. 5/26/1942 Now I know Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 70772 10-in. 5/26/1942 Half a love is better than none Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 70773 10-in. 5/26/1942 Flying home Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 70774 10-in. 5/26/1942 In the bag Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88140 6/14/1955 Just one of those things Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88141 6/14/1955 Sometimes I'm happy Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88142 6/14/1955 Something to live for-1 Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88143 6/14/1955 Love is here to stay Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88144 6/14/1955 I can't get started Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88145 6/14/1955 This will make you laugh Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88146 6/14/1955 Suppertime-2 Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88147 6/16/1955 My one and only love Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88148 6/16/1955 Yardbird suite Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88149 6/16/1955 Give me the simple life Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88150 6/16/1955 I'll remember April Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88151 6/16/1955 You took advantage of me Carmen McRae instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88657 9/16/1955 Timmy's tune Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88658 9/16/1955 Love is a many splendored thing Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88659 9/16/1955 Opening night Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88660 9/16/1955 Tiny mite Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88963 11/7/1955 Theme for a mellophone Don Elliott Quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88964 11/7/1955 Vibes impressions Don Elliott Quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88965 11/7/1955 Strike up the band Don Elliott Quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88966 11/7/1955 Beans again Coleman Hawkins Quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 88967 11/7/1955 The man I love Coleman Hawkins Quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 1-25 of 79 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Marshall, Wendell," accessed December 26, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/329897.

Marshall, Wendell. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/329897.

"Marshall, Wendell." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 26 December 2025.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/329897

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