The Jack Marshall Sextette - 18th Century Jazz

Let’s come right to the point. What is this eighteenth-century jazz?

Basically it’s an engaging concoction of sparkling music, best defined as our kind of jazz played on their kind of instruments. Put it this way. If, in the 1700’s, one of maestro Jack Marshall’s ancestors —call him Sir Jonathan Marshall— had known how to swing and did make records, these are the kind of numbers he would have produced: swinging, happy jazz in the best melodic fashion. But, unfortunately, Sir Jonathan never swung, and the task was left to one of his descendants, our Jack.

And Marshall has created arrangements for this album that are fresh and fun all the way. A typical invention on one of these twelve beautiful tunes starts out with thoughtful noodlings by first chairman Marshall. Next a swinging beat —possibly that of the. gavotte— is added to the melody, which is then shared by gentlemen of the "front line" —the flautist, 'cellist, and harpsichordist. Then, at a nod from the maestro, the group launches into a polite restatement of the theme, possibly in the form of a petite waltz, a haughty polonaise, or a slightly latin divertissement.

Putting together all the elements present —the best in musicians, twelve favorite tunes, and the last word in eighteenth-century instruments— Marshall pops up with music to stagger the imagination, jazz to soothe the savage beast in us all — a swinging sound that would be top drawer in an century. *(Liner notes)*

This out of print vinyl record contains 12 jazz standards recorded with musical instruments of the 18th Century -hence the title of the work. Each musician plays both with virtuosity and creativity and every piece swings. The slow pieces such as "Invitation", have a haunting, fantastic magical atmosphere. 

Must be one of the first jazz recordings using classical guitar. This is quite a good album and it is clear that Marshall is an excellent guitarist. *Dan S. Tong*

Side 1

1 - Have You Met Miss Jones?

(Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart)

2 - I Didn't Know What Time It Was

(Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart)

3 - Star Eyes

(Don Raye, Gene Paul)

4 - It Might As Well Be Spring

(Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II)

5 - I've Told Ev'ry Little Star

(Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II)

6 - Jeepers Creepers

(Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer)

Side 2

7 - My Heart Belongs To Daddy

(Cole Porter)

8 - S'posin'

(Paul Denniker, Andy Razaf)

9 - Like Someone In Love

(James Van Heusen, Johnny Burke)

10 - Isn't It Romantic?

(Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart)

11 - Invitation

(Bronislau Kaper, Paul Francis Webster)

12 - Sweet Georgia Brown

(Bernie, Pinkard, Casey)

Jack Marshall (classical guitar, lute), Harry Klee (flute, bass flute), Edgar Lustgarten (cello), Milt Raskin (harpsichord), Red Mitchell (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Recorded in Los Angeles, California, circa summer/autumn 1958.