John Dankworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Dankworth
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Dankworth performing at Buxton Opera House on 4 November 2002
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Phillip William Dankworth |
| Born | 20 September 1927 Woodford, Essex, England |
| Died | 6 February 2010 (aged 82) Marylebone, London, England |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Clarinet, alto saxophone |
| Years active | 1949–2009 |
| Associated acts | Cleo Laine |
Sir John Phillip William Dankworth (born September 20, 1927 – died February 6, 2010), also known as Johnny Dankworth, was an English jazz musician. He was a composer, a saxophonist (played the saxophone), and a clarinettist (played the clarinet). He also wrote music for movies. With his wife, jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, he taught music and directed her musical performances.
Contents
Biography
Early Years and Musical Start
John Dankworth grew up in Woodford, England, in a family of musicians. He started learning violin and piano. But when he was 16, he heard a record by the Benny Goodman Quartet and decided to play the clarinet. Soon after, he was inspired by another musician named Charlie Parker and learned to play the alto saxophone.
After studying at London's Royal Academy of Music, John Dankworth began his career in British jazz. He also played the saxophone and clarinet for the Royal Air Force Music Services during his national service. In 1949, he went to the Paris Jazz Festival and even played with Charlie Parker. That same year, he was voted Musician of the Year.
The 1950s: Bands and Marriage
In 1950, Dankworth created a small group called the Dankworth Seven. This group helped him try out his musical ideas and show off young jazz players. After three successful years, the group broke up, but they got back together for special shows many times.
In 1953, Dankworth formed his big band, called Johnny Dankworth and His Orchestra. In 1956, they had a popular song in the UK called "Experiments with Mice." This song was a funny version of "Three Blind Mice" and made fun of other jazz bands. By this time, Cleo Laine was singing regularly with Dankworth's band. John Dankworth married Cleo Laine in 1958.
His band became very famous. In 1959, they were the first British group invited to play at the Newport Jazz Festival in the United States. Critics praised their music, saying it had a great rhythm and sound. They also played at the Birdland jazz club in New York City. They even shared the stage with the famous Duke Ellington Orchestra. Dankworth's band also played with Louis Armstrong at a concert. In 1959, Dankworth supported groups working for friendship between different races.
The 1960s: Hits and Film Music
In 1961, Dankworth's song "African Waltz" became a top 10 hit in the UK. Many other groups also played this song.
Dankworth also started writing music for movies and TV shows. He wrote the original music for two British TV shows: The Avengers (from 1961 to 1964) and Tomorrow's World. He also wrote music for films like Darling (1965) and Modesty Blaise (1966). He even appeared in the film All Night Long in 1962, playing himself.
During this busy time, Dankworth's band performed live often and played on radio shows. They toured in Britain and Europe with famous singers like Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan. They also performed with Lionel Hampton and Ella Fitzgerald.
The 1970s and 1980s: Education and Collaborations
John Dankworth remained friends with Duke Ellington until Ellington's death in 1974. Dankworth recorded an album of Ellington's songs played with a symphony orchestra. He also performed with the Ellington Orchestra, led by Duke's son, Mercer Ellington. Dankworth recorded other orchestral albums with famous jazz musicians like Dizzy Gillespie. He also performed with many other jazz greats, including George Shearing and Oscar Peterson.
Dankworth was very keen on teaching jazz. For many years, he ran summer music schools at the Stables in Wavendon. This was a theatre that he and Cleo Laine created in their own garden in 1970. From 1984 to 1986, Dankworth was a music professor at Gresham College in London, where he gave free public lessons. In 1982, he received an honorary music degree from Berklee College of Music.
Later Work and Knighthood
In 2003, Dankworth started his own record label, Qnotes. He used it to release some of his older recordings and new ones. These included music with his family members.
John Dankworth and Cleo Laine had two children who are also jazz musicians. Their son, Alec Dankworth, plays the double bass and was part of his father's band. Their daughter, Jacqui Dankworth, is a singer.
John Dankworth was made a Knight Bachelor in 2006. This means he was given the title "Sir." He and Dame Cleo Laine were one of the few married couples where both partners had special titles.
He continued to compose music even when he was older. He wrote a jazz violin concerto (a piece for violin and orchestra) for a soloist named Christian Garrick. This piece was first performed in 2008. In October 2009, after a tour in the US, Dankworth became ill. He still played his saxophone from a wheelchair at the London Jazz Festival in December 2009. He also performed in "John & Cleo's Christmas Show" later that month.
Death
John Dankworth passed away on February 6, 2010, at the age of 82. His death happened the afternoon before a show celebrating 40 years of The Stables theatre. His funeral was held on March 1, 2010.
Discography
As leader
- Experiments with Mice (Parlophone, 1956)
- 5 Steps to Dankworth (Verve, 1957)
- Itinerary of an Orchestra (Parlophone, 1960)
- England's Ambassador of Jazz (Roulette, 1960)
- Collaboration (Roulette, 1962)
- Jazz from Abroad (Roulette, 1963)
- What the Dickens! (Fontana, 1963)
- The Zodiac Variations (Fontana, 1965)
- Modesty Blaise (20th Century Fox, 1966)
- John Dankworth and His Music (Fontana, 1970)
- Echoes of Harlem (Compendia, 1988)
- In a Mellow Tone: Tribute to Duke Ellington (Absolute, 2005)
- Spread a Little Happiness with Cleo Laine (Avid, 2006)
- About 42 Years Later with Danny Moss (Avid, 2007)
- Jady Aide with Alec Dankworth (Absolute, 2008)
As sideman or guest
With Alec Dankworth
- 1994 Nebuchadnezzar
- 1996 Rhythm Changes
With Cleo Laine
- 1976 Best Friends
- 1976 Born on a Friday
- 1978 Wordsongs
- 1989 Woman to Woman
- 2001 Live in Manhattan
- 2005 Once Upon a Time
With others
- 1969 Windmill Tilter, Kenny Wheeler
- 1975 Love Is a Five Letter Word, Jimmy Witherspoon
- 1984 Metro, Rod Argent
- 1987 Crossing Over the Bridge, London Symphony Orchestra
- 1989 Jazzin' at the Pops, Al Hirt
- 2011 It Happens Quietly, Jacqui Dankworth
Soundtracks
Film Music
- 1958 We Are the Lambeth Boys
- 1960 The Criminal
- 1960 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
- 1963 The Servant
- 1965 Darling
- 1965 Return from the Ashes
- 1965 Sands of the Kalahari
- 1966 Morgan!
- 1966 Modesty Blaise
- 1966 The Idol
- 1967 Accident
- 1967 The Last Safari
- 1967 Fathom
- 1968 Salt and Pepper
- 1968 The Other People
- 1968 The Magus
- 1970 The Last Grenade
- 1970 Perfect Friday
- 1971 10 Rillington Place
- 1975 The Kingfisher Caper
- 2000 Gangster No. 1
- 2001 Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)
Television and Radio Music
- 1959 The Voodoo Factor
- 1961 Survival
- 1961 The Avengers
- 1964 Rediffusion London startup theme and callsign.
- 1964 "Beefeaters"
- 1965 Tomorrow's World
- 1979 Telford's Change
- 1983 Today (BBC Radio 4)
- 1989 No Strings
- 1993 Money for Nothing (by Mike Ockrent)
- 2010 ZingZillas
See also
In Spanish: John Dankworth para niños
