Today April 10, 2019 would have been the 61st wedding anniversary of Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine. The "Super Couple" married April 10, 1958 and formed a magnificent partnership in jazz. They were funny and it was a joy to see them perform.
This video was recorded on October 4th 2009, at the Rrazz room in San Francisco. It was the last song of the show, as well as the last U.S. performance of Sir John Dankworth with Dame Cleo Laine. He was taken ill in October 2009, after completing a U.S. tour at San Francisco’s Rrazz Room (with wife Dame Cleo Laine) and passed away February 6, 2010.”
Sir John Dankworth, was a pioneer of modern jazz in Britain, a leading composer of film music, saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, champion of musical education and husband of jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine. The pair soared to the top of the jazz scene and beyond. Their success allowed them to devote their huge talents to supporting and financing the musical education of others. They devoted their lives to music and to the founding of a musical dynasty.
In 1969 they founded the Wavendon Allmusic Plan at the Stables, at their home near Milton Keynes, a development that became internationally famous. Sir John Dankworth is survived by Dame Cleo Laine and their two children, the double-bassist Alex Dankworth and actress/jazz singer Jacqui Dankworth.
Some of the numerous jazz musicians with whom Sir John performed include; Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Gerry Mulligan, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, George Shearing, Toots Thielemans, Benny Goodman, Herbie Hancock, Hank Jones, Oscar Peterson, Mercer Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. Sir John Dankworth was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.
The talented musicians performing with John & Cleo are, Larry Dunlap -- Piano; Seward McCain -- Bass; Jim Zimmerman -- Drums; Ed Neumeister - Trombone. Dame Cleo Laine continues to perform.
9 апр 2019
