Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

September 20, 1927 in London, England

Death

:

February 6, 2010 in London, England

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

John Dankworth was a British jazz musician, composer, and bandleader who was born on September 20, 1927, in Woodford, Essex, England. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and he began playing the clarinet at the age of 16. He was largely self-taught, but he did receive some instruction from Benny Goodman's clarinet teacher, Leon Russianoff. Dankworth began his professional career in the late 1940s, playing in various jazz bands in London. In 1950, he formed his own band, the Johnny Dankworth Seven, which quickly became one of the most popular jazz groups in Britain. The band's unique sound, which blended jazz with elements of classical music, made them a hit with audiences and critics alike. In addition to his work with the Johnny Dankworth Seven, Dankworth also composed music for films and television. He wrote the score for the 1959 film "The Criminal," which starred Stanley Baker, and he also composed the theme music for the popular British television series "The Avengers." Dankworth's most famous composition is probably his jazz suite "The Zodiac," which was first performed in 1964. The suite is based on the signs of the zodiac, and each movement is named after a different sign. The piece features a large jazz ensemble, including a string section, and it is considered one of the most important works in British jazz. Dankworth continued to perform and compose music throughout his career, and he was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to music. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2006, and he was also awarded the Queen's Medal for Music in 2007. Dankworth died on February 6, 2010, at the age of 82. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in British jazz, and his music continues to be celebrated by fans and musicians around the world.

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