JOHN DANKWORTH
Genres: Soul Jazz, Big Band, Jazz Related Soundtracks, Third Stream, Cool Jazz, Swing, Progressive Big Band, Bop • United Kingdom

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 read more...