About Kaiser Marshall
Lived 1902 – 1948 (aged 45). Kaiser Marshall was an American jazz musician, musician and percussionist.
Joseph "Kaiser" Marshall (June 11, 1902 in Savannah, Georgia – January 2, 1948 in New York City) was an American jazz drummer.
Marshall was raised in Boston, where he studied under George L. Stone. He played with Charlie Dixon before moving to New York City early in the 1920s. After playing with violinist Shrimp Jones, he joined Fletcher Henderson's band at the Club Alabam, and remained in Henderson's retinue from 1922 until 1929. He played with many noted jazz artists in the 1930s and 1940s, including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Art Hodes, Wild Bill Davison, Sidney Bechet, Bunk Johnson, and Mezz Mezzrow. He also recorded with Louis Armstrong in the late 1920s, being the drummer on Armstrong's recording of "Knockin' a Jug" from March 5, 1929.
In 1928-1930, he recorded with Benny Carter, Fats Waller and Coleman Hawkins in McKinney's Cotton Pickers. And shortly afterrecorded with the Four Bales of Hay, featuring Wingy Manone, Dickie Wells, Artie Shaw, Bud Freeman, Frank Victor, John Kirby and either Teddy Wilson or Jelly Roll Morton.
He also recorded for the Mezzrow-Bechet Quintet (Sidney Bechet, Mezz Mezzrow, Fitz Weston, Pops Foster and Marshall).
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Kaiser Marshall's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Kaiser Marshall's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Kaiser Marshall?
American musician (1902–1948)
When was Kaiser Marshall born?
Kaiser Marshall was born on 11 June 1902 in Savannah.
When did Kaiser Marshall die?
Kaiser Marshall died on 2 January 1948 in New York City.
What was Kaiser Marshall's occupation?
Kaiser Marshall was a jazz musician, musician and percussionist.
What nationality was Kaiser Marshall?
Kaiser Marshall was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kaiser Marshall. https://biography.guide/kaiser-marshall/
MLA: "Kaiser Marshall." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kaiser-marshall/.
Chicago: "Kaiser Marshall." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kaiser-marshall/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:03 UTC