John Dankworth
Most of the world knew John Dankworth best as Cleo Laine's longtime husband and accompanist, but he was a steady, if not especially inventive, player for many decades. He started his career in a novelty and traditional ensemble called the Garbage Men, led by Freddy Mirfield. Dankworth studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1944-1946, then began playing on transatlantic liners in order to come to America and hear jazz. He switched to alto sax in the late '40s, and in 1948 was a founding member of the Club Eleven. He began the Johnny Dankworth Seven in 1950, and from 1953 to 1964 led a large jazz band featuring Laine. A number of top players passed through, among them Derek Smith, Alan Branscombe, Danny Moss, Peter King, Ronnie Ross, and comic/actor Dudley Moore. Dankworth became Laine's music director in 1971 and trimmed the band down to ten pieces. Then in the early '80s he formed a touring quintet. Dankworth's profile as a composer was bigger than as a player; he wrote operatic works, pieces for a jazz band with symphony orchestra, and film scores. In 1969 he and Laine formed the Wavendon Allmusic Plan, a cultural organization presenting international performers from every sphere in its 300 seat concert hall. Dankworth also gave hundreds of lectures and conducted classes, workshops, and seminars, and in 1974 was honored for his contributions to jazz in England. Dankworth died in London on February 6, 2010, at age 86 after several months of illness.
© Ron Wynn /TiVo
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Discography
13 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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George Martin Presents...
The Medici Quartet, John Williams, John Dankworth, Jack Brymer, Barbara Thompson, Francis Monkman
Classical - Released by The Sound Corporation on Mar 3, 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Lover and His Lass
Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Dankworth Seven
Jazz - Released by Esquire Records on Dec 14, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Improvisation For Jazzband And Symphony Orchestra / Ebony Concerto / Rendezvous For Jazz Band And Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Society Records on Aug 5, 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Fathom - Original Soundtrack Recording
Film Soundtracks - Released by Harkit Records on Dec 6, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Movies 'N' Me
Pop - Released by Legacy Recordings on May 24, 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
JadyAdie
John Dankworth, Alec Dankworth
Jazz - Released by Qnote Records on May 6, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bop at Club 11
Ronnie Scott, John Dankworth, John Dankworth Quartet
Bebop - Released by Esquire Records on Feb 4, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Britain's Ambassador To Jazz - Live At The Newport Jazz Festival + "The Criminal"
Jazz - Released by Harkit Records on Apr 11, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Themes and Variations, Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by The Digital Gramophone on Sep 19, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
John Dankworth's Fair Oak Fusions
Julian Lloyd Webber, John Dankworth
Jazz - Released by Qnote Records on Jan 1, 1982
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Export Blues
Jazz - Released by Marylebone Records on Dec 3, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo