Sir John Dankworth CBE, one of the most important figures in British jazz, died on 6 February, 2010, aged 82.

An adept alto saxophonist and clarinetist Johnny Dankworth played with some of the biggest names in international jazz, composed well known television theme tunes and also shared his love of music as a teacher.

After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, and serving with the army, he became a professional musician in the late 1940s. By the end of the decade he had played with the likes of Charlie Parker and Sidney Bechet.

Jazz singer Cleo Laine, whom he discovered and later married, frequently sang with Dankworth's band, launching her career.

He was also associated with Duke Ellington , collaborating with him from the 1950s up until Ellington's death in 1974, and Dudley Moore was a sometime member of his group. Other collaborators included Dizzy Gillespie , Herbie Hancock and Ella Fitzgerald among many.

As well as recording and performing, Dankworth was known for writing the original theme tunes for The Avengers (1961) and Tomorrow's World (1965).

In later life he was professor of music at Gresham College and gave free public lectures on jazz.

His death was announced by Dame Cleo Laine during a star-studded concert marking the 40th anniversary of the entertainment venue they set up together at their Buckinghamshire home.