This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8502621.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Jazz star Sir John Dankworth dies | Jazz star Sir John Dankworth dies |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Sir John Dankworth, a mainstay of the British jazz scene for over 60 years, has died, his family has confirmed. | Sir John Dankworth, a mainstay of the British jazz scene for over 60 years, has died, his family has confirmed. |
| Saxophonist Sir John, who was 82 and lived in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, served as musical director to the likes of Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. | Saxophonist Sir John, who was 82 and lived in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, served as musical director to the likes of Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. |
| Sir John, who was knighted in 2006 for services to music, died on Saturday at King Edward VII Hospital, London. | Sir John, who was knighted in 2006 for services to music, died on Saturday at King Edward VII Hospital, London. |
| He was married to the singer Dame Cleo Laine, who announced his death at a concert at their Stables Theatre. | He was married to the singer Dame Cleo Laine, who announced his death at a concert at their Stables Theatre. |
| The concert was celebrating 40 years of the theatre, which the couple founded in the grounds of their home. | |
| In a statement, his agent said: "The all-star concert, featuring numerous British stars of stage, screen and recordings, became a tribute to John." | In a statement, his agent said: "The all-star concert, featuring numerous British stars of stage, screen and recordings, became a tribute to John." |
| He was hailed by Jazzwise magazine as "one of the totemic figures of British jazz" and the UK's "first major jazz musician". | He was hailed by Jazzwise magazine as "one of the totemic figures of British jazz" and the UK's "first major jazz musician". |
| 'International figure' | |
| His agent Jim Murtha, speaking from New York, told the BBC it was "a sad day in general and a sad day for me as well". | |
| Mr Murtha added: "For British jazz and jazz around the world, I believe, John has become such an international figure, particularly since he became Sir John Dankworth a few years ago." | |
| Sir John and Dame Cleo met in 1950 while he was auditioning for singers with his band, the Dankworth Seven. | Sir John and Dame Cleo met in 1950 while he was auditioning for singers with his band, the Dankworth Seven. |
| He also leaves a son and a daughter, both jazz musicians. | He also leaves a son and a daughter, both jazz musicians. |
| In 1993 Sir John formed the Dankworth Generation Band, with his son Alec. | In 1993 Sir John formed the Dankworth Generation Band, with his son Alec. |
| After winning a place at the Royal Academy of Music aged 17, and following a short spell in the Army, the young Sir John was voted British Musician of the Year in 1949. | After winning a place at the Royal Academy of Music aged 17, and following a short spell in the Army, the young Sir John was voted British Musician of the Year in 1949. |
| The same year he attended the Paris Jazz Festival, where he played with the legendary Charlie Parker. | The same year he attended the Paris Jazz Festival, where he played with the legendary Charlie Parker. |
| In the 1960s, Sir John scored such films as Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The Servant and Modesty Blaise and wrote the theme tunes for The Avengers and Tomorrow's World. | In the 1960s, Sir John scored such films as Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The Servant and Modesty Blaise and wrote the theme tunes for The Avengers and Tomorrow's World. |
| Sir John and Dame Cleo founded their charity, the Wavendon Allmusic Plan, in 1969, which led to the establishment of the Stables. | Sir John and Dame Cleo founded their charity, the Wavendon Allmusic Plan, in 1969, which led to the establishment of the Stables. |
| He was appointed CBE in 1974 and founded the London Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops in 1985. | He was appointed CBE in 1974 and founded the London Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops in 1985. |
| Sir John was a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and received the Freedom of the City of London in 1994. | Sir John was a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and received the Freedom of the City of London in 1994. |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Sir John maintained his affection for the older, traditional style | Sir John maintained his affection for the older, traditional style |