Joy Marshall was an English based American jazz singer who performed in clubs and venues around the United States, England and the Netherlands. She recorded for the Ember, Decca and Toast labels. She had a national UK hit during the 1960s. Background Joy Marshall was born in New York and started out singing in church. It was in the 1950s that she was a navy singer, performing in a big band. After her discharge from the navy, she performed in clubs and got steady work. She was unable to get a recording contract while other singers did. One night she was at the Purple Onion club in San Franscisco. There, Royston Marker who was an executive from New Zealand talked her into moving to England where he said she would do better.Jazz Wax, May 04, 2021 - The Sad Story of Joy Marshall
Joy Marshall's move to England achieved two things. She replaced Cleo Laine in the Johnny Dankworth band. She became one England's top local jazz artists.Down Beat, January 23, 1969 - Page 13 FINAL BAR She also got married.
Marshall married Peter King at the Westminster Registry Office at the Marylebone Town Hall in London, on 29th October 1962.Getty Images - Wedding Of Joy Marshall & Peter King, 1962 The marriage has been described as being tempestuous.RTÉ.ie, 25 Apr 2018 - Gordon Beck Quartet - When Sunny Gets Blue Vy Paddy Kehoe Marshall would end up in a relationship with Tubby Hayes.Jazz Journal, 01 March 2022 - Tubby Hayes: Hip! The Untold Story Of Tubby Hayes’ 1965 By Steve Voce
According to the 14 March 1964 issue of the Liverpool Echo, Marshall was aged 21 when she came to England eighteen months prior.Liverpool Echo, Saturday 14 March 1964 - Page 6
According to Val Wilmer who saw Marshall and Blossom Dearie perform at Ronnie Scott's club, Marshall had issues with audiences. Even though Marshall had a slight resemblance to Sarah Vaughan there were unfair comparisons between herself and Vaughan.Your Heart Out 29 - - Page 17
While living in England Marshall experienced problems with discrimination. Like Selena Jones and Madeline Bell, she experienced discrimination from landlords or prospective landlords.Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White by Patrick Michael John Glen - Page 169
Career 1962 to 1965 Marshall recorded the song "Love Can Change So Many Things". Backed with "Till the End of Time", it was released on Ember EMBS 163 in 1962.Offizielle Duetsche Charts - JOY MARSHALL Love Can Change So Many Things She was backed by the Ronnie Howard Orchestra on the recordings. The single was reviewed by Don Nicoll in the 15 September issue of Disc. Her picture was also included at the top of the page. Giving the record three stars, Nicholl said that she had a fine romantic voice. He said that she should reach a few charts with the song.Disc, September 15, 1962 - Page 9 Joy Marshall, Love Can Change So Many Things; Till The End Of Time
In Early 1964, Marshall did a week at Ronnie Scott's club where she was backed by the Stan Tracey Trio. According to Melody Maker, she combined good material with a punchy attack and excellent diction. This may have been why the writer used her as an example because in the article it said that American artists seemed to have greater confidence and ability in projecting lyrics than their British counterparts displayed.Melody Maker, February 1, 1964 - Page 4 CAUGHT IN THE ACT
The results for the 1963 Melody Maker Readers Jazz Poll were published in the 1 February 1964 issue of Melody Maker. Marshall came no. 4 in the Female Singer category.Melody Maker, February 1, 1964 - Page 7 Melody Maker Readers Jazz Poll, RESULTS British section, Female Singer, 4 Joy Marshall 2.88
Also in 1964, Marshall played the part of street walker Maureen O'Neill in the musical, Maggie May.Theatricalia - Joy Marshall Liverpool Echo, Thursday 20 August 1964 - Page 6 SPARKLING MAGGIE In spite of having three duets with the star Rachel Roberts, Marshall pulled out because she had no solo spots.Crescendo, November, 1964 - Page Eighteen ON THE BEAT - Milt Mendoza She was replaced by Diana Quiseekay in August 1964.Manchester Evening News, Saturday 12 September 1964 - Page 3Theatricalia, Maggie May, Cast & Crew
In 1965, her solo album, Who Says They Don't Write Good Songs Anymore was released on Decca.The Second Disc, May 11, 2018 - Bewitching: Cherry Red Premieres 1968 Jazz-Soul Sessions from Joy Marshall and Gordon Beck Quartet By Joe Marchese She was also in the Netherlands that year. Backed by Rob Madna on piano and the Frans de Kok Orchestra she performed the song "It's All Right with Me".Jazz News, May 6, 2021 - Joy Marshall in Holland, 1965 by Marc Myers 1966 to 1968 In 1966, Marshall had a Top 40 hit in the UK with "The More I See You",Official Charts - THE MORE I SEE YOU by JOY MARSHALL Debuting on 23 June at no 34 its peak position, it spent one more week in the chart, exiting at no. 48.Records and Charts - United Kingdom chart run Joy Marshall The More I See You It also made the Singapore Top Ten. As shown by Billboard in the magazine's 9 July issue, the single made its debut at no. 9.Billboard, July 9, 1966 - Page 46 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, SINGAPORE, This Week 9, Last Week - On the week of 23 July (week 3) it had moved from no. 7 to no. 4.Billboard, July 23, 1966 - Page 54 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, SINGAPORE, This Week 4, Last Week 7
On 30 July 1966, Marshall along with Dave Cash, Jackie Stewart and Susan Hampshire was a panelist on BBC's Juke Box Jury which was hosted by David Jacobs.BBC Program Index - 17:40 Juke Box Jury, BBC One, Sat 30th Jul 1966, 17:40 on BBC One London Final single release In 1968, Marshall recorded the song "And I'll Find You" which was composed by Brian Potter and Graham Dee. It was arranged by Graham Wadsworth. It was originally intended to be a Eurovision Entry song for Sharon Tandy, but it didn't end up being so.Your Heart Out 29 - - Page 17 Backed with "I'm So Glad You're Back", it was released on Toast TT 512.Record Mirror, No. 408 Week ending January 4th, 1969 - JARSHALL: And I'll Find You; I'm So Glad You're Back (Toast TT 512) Joy Marshall was happy with the record. However, she died on or around 21 November and before the single was released. Her label Major Minor Records made the decision to go ahead with the release. According to the 30 November 1968 issue of Melody Maker, Marshall's parents who were in the UK at the time had heard the record and wanted Major Minor to go ahead with the release. The spokesman for the record label said that they would be doubling the royalties which would be paid to her parents.Melody Maker, November 30, 1968 - Page 2 SINGER JOY MARSHALL FOUND DEAD
The record was reviewed by Peter Jones in the 4 January 1969 issue of Record Mirror and possibly unaware of Marshall's death. It was given a four-star rating. Jones enjoyed listening to it and said it was a very good performance as expected, but the song might not be quite direct enough to click.Record Mirror, No. 408 Week ending January 4th, 1969 - JARSHALL: And I'll Find You; I'm So Glad You're Back (Toast TT 512)Jet, Dec. 19, 1968 - Page 60 Alcohol, Pills Kill American Singer In London
In popular media She can be seen performing (Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey in the 1964 film London in the Raw. Death Marshall was found dead in her London apartment on 21 November at the age of 32. Her death was said to be as a result from an overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol. Down Beat, January 23, 1969 - Page 13 FINAL BARJet, Dec. 19, 1968 - Page 60 Alcohol, Pills Kill American Singer In London
Later years Thirteen songs that Marshall recorded with the Gordon Beck Quartet in 1968 appeared on the When Sunny Gets Blue (Spring '68 Sessions) album. Credited to The Gordon Beck Quartet featuring Joy Marshall, it was released on Turtle TUR502 in 2018.Discogs - Gordon Beck Quartet* Featuring Joy Marshall – When Sunny Gets Blue (Spring '68 Sessions)The Afterword, 12/02/2023 - A Short History of ‘the BBC session’ her song "Heartache Hurry on By" was included on the 2020 various artists compilation, Don't Blow Your Cool! More '60s Girls from U.K. Decca.AllMusic - Don't Blow Your Cool! More '60s Girls from U.K. Decca, Track Listing Discography + Singles Act Release Catalogue Year Notes Joy Marshall "Love Can Change So Many Things" / "Till the End of Time" Ember Records International EMB S163 1962 Joy Marshall "When You Hold Me Tight (Carlos' Theme)" / "Rain on Snow" Decca F.11863 1964 Joy Marshall "Heartache Hurry on by" / "He's for Me" Decca F.12189 1965 Joy Marshall "My Love Come Home" / "When a Girl Really Loves You" Decca F.12222 1965 Joy Marshall "The More I See You" / "A Taste of Honey" Decca – F.12422 1966 Joy Marshall "And I'll Find You" / "I'm So Glad You're Back" Toast TT 512 1968 Lenny Vestel Joy Marshall "It's Paradise" / "Heartaches Hurry on By" Stardust Records – URS 082 ? Lenny Vestel side A Joy Marshall side B
+ Albums Act Release Catalogue Year Notes Joy Marshall Who Says They Don't Write Good Songs Anymore Decca LK 4678 1965 Gordon Beck Quartet featuring Joy Marshall When Sunny Gets Blue (Spring '68 Sessions) Turtle Records TUR502 2018
+ Various artists appearances - EPs Title Tracks Catalogue Year Notes Hits Vol.4 A1. "Elusive Butterfly" A2. "The Pied Piper" B1. "Mama" B2. "The More I See You" Decca DFE-R 8662 1962 A1. Val Doonican, A2. Crispian St. Peters B1. Dave Berry, B2. Joy Marshall
Further reading Melody Maker, November 30, 1968 - JOY MARSHALL A tough reputation, but a thorough jazz professional by Bob Dawbarn References
External links Discogs - Joy Marshall 45Cat - Joy Marshall - Discography, UK Imdb - Joy Marshall(I) MrJazzfanantic channel, Nov 26, 2009 - Joy Marshall vocals, Rob Madna piano, Orchestra Frans de Kok Bee Music channel, Feb 24, 2014 - Joy Marshall~Heartache Hurry on By Eric Sempels channel, Jul 19, 2021 - Joy Marshall When a Girl Really Loves You