John Marshall

[Roger Farbey]

John Marshall, best known as drummer with Nucleus and Soft Machine has passed away aged 82. His last studio album Other Doors with Soft Machine was released earlier this year. His contribution to jazz was immense. He played on many significant records including those by Mike Gibbs, Mike Westbrook, John Surman, Graham Collier, Eberhard Weber and Jack Bruce, to name just a few. He will be sorely missed. RIP John.

[mjazzg]

That's sad news to start the day. Will have seen him play a number of times and heard him on numerous recordings. A real pillar of the scene.

[sidewinder]

This is very sad news indeed. Just a few months ago I went to a Soft Machine gig looking forward to seeing and hearing John - it turned out that he had very recently taken retirement after 60 years as an active musician. At the time I was thinking/hoping that he would have a good, long well-earned retirement ahead but I guess from this news that illness must have already prompted that decision. May he RIP.

Remember seeing him quite a number of times in the late 90s/2000s. With John Surman at Jazz Britannia in 2005 springs to mind - a masterful performance. Thinking about it, the first time I saw him would have been in 1983 with Gil Evans' British Orchestra. More recently as I recall he put in a stalwart performance at Ian Carr's Memorial Concert - power with great precision. Also remember seeing him with John Abercrombie. He'll be missed, for sure. 

[clifford_thornton]

Alas, never got to see him live. Fantastic musician. RIP.

[GA Russell]

RIP.  I have put on Soft Machine 5.

[adh1907]

RIP. He was probably the first drummer in the UK to introduce rock rhythms into the jazz world. I love his work with Graham Collier, for example, Aberdeen Angus: 

 

[clifford_thornton]

Yup. That record is an all-timer for me.

[adh1907]

In the announcements in today’s Guardian is an acknowledgment from his partner, Maxi, wishing “heartfelt thanks for all the wonderful messages, tributes and outpouring of love and support on the death of her adored husband.” Very touching. 

[Roger Farbey]

BBC Radio 3 Jazz Record Requests this Sunday, October 8, 2023, 16.00hrs GMT - tribute show to John Marshall. Also will be on BBC Sounds catch-up app.

Edited October 6, 2023 by Roger Farbey

[Peter Friedman]

This thread should make clear that there is another John Marshall who is very much alive. He is a very fine jazz trumpet player  I believe is currently living in Europe. He has recorded a number of damn good albums on a few different labels.

[mjazzg]

I think it's pretty clear from the initial post onwards which John Marshall we're remembering with such affection. Only one played with Nucleus and Soft Machine after all