Jazz musician and composer. Born John Philip William Dankworth at 38 Beech Hall Road, Walthamstow (just a few streets away from the plaque). Known as Johnny, he was also an accomplished clarinettist and saxophonist. Married to singer Cleo Laine, he trained her to extend her vocal range to over three octaves. Died at the King Edward VII hospital Westminster, just hours before he was due to perform in a concert.
2019: Laine still being with us means there is no plaque for her yet. So we have to use this page to point you to Laine singing 'London Pride' in 1976. Magnificent.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
