Johnny Dankworth Rip

[Guest bobby's girl]

He doesn't, strictly speaking, fall under the auspices of soul music I know, but I hope you'll indulge me and permit this addition...

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4T9muPmFH0

Johnny Dankworth, an elder statesman of the jazz world, and an absolute legend to jazz lovers everywhere died yesterday.

Rest in Peace Johnny

[Guest Matt Male]

A tireless campaigner for live music and music education and a great writer of film and TV scores as well as all his better known Jazz work. Without a doubt one of the greats. RIP.

[Guest bobby's girl]

A tireless campaigner for live music and music education and a great writer of film and TV scores as well as all his better known Jazz work. Without a doubt one of the greats. RIP.

Well said that man!

[macca]

Has Cleo made any kind of statement? I think this guy, along with Chris Barber, was one of the earliest champions of black american music. DEP.

[Guest bobby's girl]

Has Cleo made any kind of statement? I think this guy, along with Chris Barber, was one of the earliest champions of black american music. DEP.

Sorry macca, I've only just seen your post...

I don't think Cleo Laine's made an 'official' statement as such, but she announced his death last night, at a concert at The Stables in Wavendon, which is a venue that Cleo and Johnny set up in the grounds of their home some 40 years ago - great little venue... if you're ever in that neck of the woods (Milton Keynes area) do pay a visit!

Here's one of many tributes...

https://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/07/john-dankworth-jazz-saxophone-musician

[Paul Shirley]

Well said that man!

yes and i would agree .....well said

[Guest bobby's girl]

yes and i would agree .....well said

[Ficklefingers]

Reading of Johnny's passing reminded me of one of my life's most embarrassing moments..

It was the day of my permanent return to the UK, after living in the U.S. with my parents and a brother. My flight from where I was living, Albuquerque in the mid-west, was delayed and as a consequence my late arrival at Chicago's O'Hara airport resulted in missing my connecting flight to London. Having been transferred onto the next available flight I was ushered into a lounge reserved for passengers travelling First Class - which I was fortunate enough to be doing - to enjoy the passing time until ready to board.

The wait was only around three hours and, after sitting minding my own business for a while (being the shy, young late-teen I was), a middle aged couple sat down on the sofa by the table where I was located. I've always felt - even now - that, with my being reasonably young and obviously alone (and perhaps seeming a bit vulnerable ??) the lady adopted a sort of 'motherly' type role in indulging me in some small-talk, where it was established we were on the same London bound flight, with long conversation ensuing, about all manner of things, including the reasons for making the flight the three of us were waiting for .

Having explained my original emigration to the U.S. was a decision I had no choice in - due to my age at the time, being too young to stay in the UK alone - and that, now being able to support myself financially & make decisions for myself, I was returning 'home' to live. Showing politeness I enquired as to the reason for their trip - the gentleman, although very pleasant, was quite reserved with any conversation during our entire 'liaison'& seemed happy for his 'wife' (I presumed..) to chatter away on behalf of both of them - the answer from the lady being 'We are returning back home.. after just finishing our annual tour in Las Vegas'.

I didn't really delve to much into the why's & wherefore's as to the type of 'performers' they were, or any other complexities of what their annual tour involved - and they didn't hanker on the subject or make any 'boasting' type statements to do with their 'profession' (like what 'massive crowd pullers' they were, for example..) so I more or less instantly thought them more likely 'showcasing' in some seedy back-street type joints, where they were maybe a warm-up act to the strippers - and had an average audience that consisted of maybe ten to twelve middle-aged, balding, paunched bellied, alcoholic, perverts !! The fact that they were travelling First Class being a completely irrelevant fact and not one that entered my mind.

I arrived back in the UK during a Saturday and, after arriving at my temporary digs - a soulie friend, that lived at home - I sat down in the front room. It was then that the front cover of the latest issue of the T.V. Times - which gave the programme listings for the coming week, starting from the Sunday, along with relevant short editorials re highlighted programmes plus a 'main' 2 or 3 page related article - caught my eye.. The front cover was a photograph of the couple I'd been chatting with in Chicago, and THEY were the focus of this weeks 'main' article. The accompanying front page headline alongside the photo' proclaiming announcement of their eagerly awaited return to England after yet another hugely successful stint in Vegas !!

It was only Cleo & Johnny weren't it !!

I remember how totally stupid I felt once the 'penny had dropped'.. And just sooo thankful Cleo & Johnny were not able to witness the look on my face and so, hopefully, would never be aware of how I'd 'dismissed' them as a pair of 'wannabees' !!

Oh, the JOYS of being young & innocent, eh ??

Fingers

Edited February 10, 2010 by FickleFingers

[stomper45]

Had a few good nights in the Stables, R.I.P. Johnny