Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra

Sir John Dankworth (better known as Johnny) (1927-2010) was one of the British jazz scene's leading lights. Born in London in 1927, the young Dankworth had violin and piano lessons before taking up the clarinet and alto saxophone. By the age of 17 he had won a place at the Royal Academy of Music. After years of studying, interrupted by a short spell in the Army, he was voted British Musician of the Year in 1949. The same year he attended the Paris Jazz Festival