Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

September 20, 1927 in London, England

Death

:

February 6, 2010

 

Johnny Dankworth was a British jazz musician and composer who was born on September 20, 1927, in Woodford, Essex, England. He was the son of a saxophonist and a pianist, and he grew up in a musical family. Dankworth began playing the clarinet at the age of 16 and soon became a professional musician. Dankworth's early career was focused on jazz music, and he quickly became one of the most respected jazz musicians in Britain. He played with many of the top jazz musicians of the time, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. Dankworth also formed his own jazz band, the Johnny Dankworth Seven, which became one of the most popular jazz bands in Britain. In the 1950s, Dankworth began to explore classical music, and he started to compose his own works. His first major composition was the ballet "Tom Sawyer," which was commissioned by the Royal Ballet in 1952. The ballet was a huge success, and it established Dankworth as a composer of classical music. Dankworth continued to compose classical music throughout his career, and he wrote many works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. Some of his most notable works include the "Suite for Orchestra," the "Saxophone Concerto," and the "Clarinet Concerto." In addition to his classical compositions, Dankworth also wrote music for film and television. He composed the music for many British films, including "The Criminal" and "Modesty Blaise," and he also wrote the theme music for several television shows, including "The Avengers" and "Tomorrow's World." Dankworth was also a respected educator, and he taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London for many years. He was known for his innovative teaching methods, and he inspired many young musicians to pursue careers in music. Throughout his career, Dankworth received many awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2006, and he was also made a Knight Bachelor in 2006. Dankworth died on February 6, 2010, at the age of 82, but his legacy as a composer and musician continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

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