A Celebration Turned Sendoff For Johnny Dankworth, 82

by Patrick Jarenwattananon

Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth, circa 1974. (Central Press/Getty Images)

Hours before taking the stage as part of a star-studded gala concert, 82-year-old British jazz singer Cleo Laine was with her husband when he died in a London hospital. Before the event started, she let her fellow performers -- some of whom are beloved figures in British film and theater -- in on the news. But Laine insisted the show go on without a hitch; it was, after all, the 40th anniversary celebration of the venue she co-founded with her late husband. And it was only after the show was over, and Laine had performed with her son and daughter, that she broke the information to a shocked crowd. Saxophonist and British jazz icon Sir John Dankworth, better known as Johnny Dankworth, died on Saturday. He was 82.

Dankworth isn't terribly well-known to U.S. audiences, but he did tour with Duke Ellington, arrange for Ella Fitzgerald and perform with Charlie Parker. He led several groups, and became a respected film composer. Basically, he was Great Britain's first international jazz star, and because he was such a big deal overseas -- he was knighted, after all -- he left a trail of unusual obituaries behind him. But what composure from Dame Cleo Laine and family, and what a classy move, to go on with the show as Dankworth would have wanted it. An elegant farewell to someone who was, by all accounts, a great musician. [The Guardian: Show must go on: jazz concert ends with news of Dankworth death; The Daily Telegraph: Sir John Dankworth: 'this one is for Johnny, gone but not forgotten']

2:10 PM ET | 02- 8-2010 | permalink

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