Sir John Dankworth 1927- 2010

 

It is with great sorrow that we at Music For All Seasons note the passing of a great supporter of the organization, of music for the underserved, and a dear personal friend.

 

Sir John Dankworth died in London on Saturday, February 6, 2010 just hours before a major tribute concert was given to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Stables, a concert venue and center for music education that he and his wife, Dame Cleo Laine, founded on the grounds of their home in Buckinghamshire, just outside London.

 

John and Cleo have been longtime friends of Music For All Seasons, joining the Board of Advisors in 2001. They performed in benefit fundraisers on two occasions – in Carnegie Hall in 2001 and on the World Yacht, together with two of their children Alec Dankworth and Jacqui Dankworth, in 2002.  They established their total commitment to the work of the organization with the remarkable words “We are there whenever you need us!”

 

On a personal note, I have known Johnny (as I will always think of him) since I was 17 or 18 when I played piano for him and Cleo for a series of evenings in a club in London and had the misfortune to twist the piano stool and fall off the tiny stage in the middle of a number, an act which they met with concern and good humor, while hardly missing a beat.

 

There will be many tributes to John, for he has become one of the great icons of jazz of our time. He and Cleo traveled the world performing and delighting audiences right up until last September when he became ill. His achievements will be listed, and his great artistry as a performer and composer will be lauded, but I will always remember him in dressing rooms backstage or over meals in restaurants in London or New York for his great sense of humor, his incredible ability to tell a funny story and the look on his face, that you can see in the picture below, when he laughed.

 

We all at Music For All Seasons offer our loving and sincere condolences to Cleo and to their three children, Stuart, Alec and Jacqui, by echoing their loving support – “We are here whenever you need us . ”

 

Brian F . Dallow

Executive Director

 

Link to the obituary in The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/07/sir-john-dankworth-obituary

 

 John Dankworth, Cleo Laine and Alec Dankworth at an MFAS event in 2002 .

 

 



John Dankworth on the World Yacht at an MFAS benefit in 2002

 

 

 

John Dankworth, Jacqui Dankworth, and Cleo Laine at an MFAS benefit in 2002