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John Dankworth Quotes

Sir John Phillip William Dankworth, CBE , also known as Johnny Dankworth, was an English jazz composer, saxophonist, clarinetist and writer of film scores. With his wife, jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, he was a music educator and also her music director. Wikipedia  

✵ 20. September 1927 – 6. February 2010
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John Dankworth: 6 quotes0 likes

Famous John Dankworth Quotes

“I have never looked like being in that incredible virtuoso class like, say, Stan Getz. I think people made a mistake and put me in that embryonic class when I was very young and thought that I was going to branch out to be a big instrumentalist in some way or another. But I always find that I very, very seldom get anywhere near what I consider a satisfactory standard. I would much rather be judged for my writing because writing is a thing that you can have second thoughts about and, if it isn’t right, you can’t blame somebody else but yourself.”

John Dankworth

Times obituary, 8 Feb 2010 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7018290.ece

“Couth, kempt and shevelled.”

John Dankworth

Kitty Grime Quoted in Daily Telegraph, 7 Feb 2010 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/7180882/Sir-John-Dankworth.html <br class="br">About

“Forget the word youth – this is one of the best bands you'll ever hear.”

John Dankworth

Of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra Guardian, 18 Feb 2010 http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/feb/18/letter-john-dankworth-obituary

“It is not governed by the senseless world of current style that pervades and pollutes popular music, nor is it part of an established hierarchy, so that it is cloistered and protected.”

John Dankworth

Of jazz. Jazz in Revolution (1998).

“The hardest thing to do is to swing quietly, with control and restraint. Lots of bands swing loudly. I refuse to let my band play loudly in order to try to swing when it isn’t swinging softly. I think that the best jazz in the long run is the jazz that is controlled and will swing on its own terms.”

John Dankworth

Times obituary, 8 Feb 2010 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7018290.ece

“Jazz today can be spiritual, cerebral, motivating or moving. It can evoke tension, relaxation, laughter, tears. Surely jazz is truly the music of the era, combining stature, dignity and emotion with the highest musical ideals.”

John Dankworth

Jazz in Revolution (1998), concluding words.

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