Sir John Dankworth, one of the base notes of the London jazz scene, has gone to the great jazz club in the sky. 'Johnny' was ever a Londoner: He was born in Walthamstow, and in spite of an international career spanning over fifty years, he kept things London-centric. He even (reputedly) met his wife, the lovely Cleo Laine, on the stage of a newly opened Royal Festival Hall. Not only was he a great sax player and band leader, but he composed and arranged some of the most iconic theme tunes of the 60s and 70s. A concert at The Stables, the venue that the couple founded forty years ago within the grounds of their home, went ahead as a tribute last night. He leaves a strong legacy, but one can't help worrying and wondering about the future of London jazz...
Image by Tony the Misfit under the Flickr Creative Commons Licence.
