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Jazz Great Dankworth passes away

Jazz Great Dankworth passes away

Johnny Dankworth who was one of the greats of British jazz has passed away. He was 82.

Knighted in 2006 for services to music, Sir John Dankworth was a great saxophonist.

His wife Cleo Laine broke the news of his death during a concert at their Buckinghamshire theatre where she was performing with their childen.

During his 60 years in music Sir John had notable success as a performer, band leader and composer.

He played with some of the greats, including Charlie Parker at the Paris Jazz Festival in 1949, and served as musical director at various times to Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole.

Among his successes as a composer were the original theme tune for the TV series The Avengers and the science show Tomorrow's World.

Sir John fell ill in October last year at the end of the US tour. He passed away at a London hospital.

 

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