UK Jazz fans will possibly be familiar with Sir John Dankworth (1927-2010) the great British saxophonist/clarinettist, bandleader and arranger/composer for his collaborations with his wife of 52 years, Dame Cleo Laine, and his prolific output for the John Dankworth Seven and his big band.
I met Sir John, around 1993 when I heard his band in the UK for the first time. I interviewed him in 2005 about his film scores for an article that appeared in an academic journal called The Journal for British Cinema and Television in 2006 which you can read here. I also played many concerts with him from 2006 until his passing in 2010, all of which included his wife, Dame Cleo Laine. His son, bassist Alec Dankworth, and daughter, singer Jacqui Dankworth were frequently present as well.
UK Jazz fans will possibly be familiar with Sir John Dankworth (1927-2010) the great British saxophonist/clarinettist, bandleader and arranger/composer for his collaborations with his wife of 52 years, Dame Cleo Laine, and his prolific output for the John Dankworth Seven and his big band.
John’s arrangements over the years were a hearty testimonial to his love of Duke Ellington and Strayhorn. There are too many to mention, but two stand out as completely devoted to Ellington’s music – Cleo Laine’s Solitude with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (1994) and In A Mellow Tone recorded in 2005 by the John Dankworth Quintet. These albums do not attempt to recreate Duke’s opuses note by note as so many repertory ensembles do (and very well too), but instead are sifted through an alchemy of Sir John’s unique sound and vision.
Cleo’s Solitude CD was recorded in 1994 with the Ellington Orchestra led by Dukes son, Mercer Ellington, arranged by John alongside fellow British arrangers, Stan Tracey and Eddie Harvey. Harvey in particular, was a long-time member of the Dankworth stable, having been a charter member of the JD Seven from 1949, as well as John’s various big bands over the years.
Cleo’s interpretations of classic Ellingtonia featured popular gems like Don’t get around much anymore, A Train, and Sophisticated Lady as well as lesser known titles like All too soon and Reflections. Also included was Duke’s ‘Don’t you know I care’ with lyrics by Hal’s older brother Mack David, and an eloquent and heartfelt delivery by Cleo. I also had the pleasure of recording this song with fellow DESUKIAN, pianist, Brian Priestley, on his 2004 album “Who knows – The Uncovered Ellington” on the 33 Jazz Label.
Writer of ‘In a mellow tone, Alyn Shipton, had the following to say on this album “Such open-mindedness is readily apparent in this selection of Ellingtonia by the John Dankworth Quintet. Most, but not all the repertoire is familiar, but the way it is tackled is not. With John’s typically astute ear for what makes a jazz arrangement work and his ability to get to the heart of a piece of music, numbers that are normally the preserve of a sixteen piece orchestra hold no terrors for the five musicians in his band. All of the twelve selections have something fresh and original about them, although throughout the disc there’s also a clear familiarity with Duke’s own interpretations”. Indeed.
The quintet included Mark Nightingale on trombone, John Horler on piano, Alec Dankworth on bass and the late Allan Ganley on drums. All play distinctive roles in echoing Ellington’s timbre and spirit while executing the music of The Maestro. It should also be added that Allan Ganley was a mean arranger/composer himself and certainly brought that insight and experience to his interpretations from behind the drums.
Dankworth’s final big band CD was “Jazz Matters” (2007) on the Qnote label. Having played on this album myself, an Ellington like influence was clear, and I detected a kinship with the Duke in how it was put together. John wrote and arranged fourteen pieces, half of which with lyrics by saxophonist/songwriter Duncan Lamont, and all sung by Cleo. With titles like Colour Your Dreams, Madame Jazz and How Goes the World, et al, the listening experiences that great warmth of collaboration and sharing that Duke and Billy had.
The links and common ground that Sir John had with the Duke were testament to the breadth and sharing for the common good that John demonstrated throughout his long and fruitful career.
May his memory and legacy live on interminably for that reason alone.
Stay tuned!
Frank
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