Sir Johnny Dankworth

[Rob Wheeler]

I just thought I would mention that this weekend the British Press reported on the passing of Sir Johnny Dankworth. I was quite suprised when watching the Sony documentary to hear the archive tape of Daniel citing Sir Johnny as an influence and inspiration (and maybe a source too...)

I think the impact of jazz music on Daniel's music is often underated. I think it is pretty starling that he openly cited a British jazz influence while residing in a nation that produced some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. That is the mark of Sir Johnny Dankworth, a man who was at the forefront of British Jazz for decades and had admirers from all over the world from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.

 

[Stress Records]

John Dankworth "backed" Daniel on the tracks Desperate Man Blues and Keep Punching Joe from Hi, How Are You.  They're credited as "Big Band Danny and the Danksworth Orchestra".

[Rob Wheeler]

Yes, I'm not sure they were aware they were backing him when they tracked that session though...