Biography
Born on 14 May 1960 in London, England, as Alexander William Tamba Dankworth, the musician grew up immersed in jazz through his parents, John Dankworth and Cleo Laine. He began studying double bass at the Guildhall School of Music in London during 1978, then continued his training at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. After returning to England he joined several ensembles, among them the group fronted by his parents, with whom he performed intermittently across the 1980s. Additional sideman work included a stint with Clark Tracey on the 1987 album Stiperstones. International travel followed, as tours with his parents took him through the United States, Australia and Europe, while joint appearances with his sister, singer Jacqui Dankworth, reached the Middle East, the Far East and Hawaii.
In 1995 Dankworth entered Van Morrison’s band for European and American dates. That same year, and again in 1997, British Jazz Awards voters named him Best Bass Player. Late in the summer of 1997 he moved to New York City, where engagements with the continuing Duke Ellington Orchestra included a Birdland residency. By the close of 1998 he had joined Dave Brubeck’s quartet, traveling across the United States to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall and Birdland, as well as undertaking a European tour. The partnership lasted until May 2001, when Dankworth returned to London; during those years he appeared on Brubeck recordings such as The 40th Anniversary Tour Of The UK (1999) and The Crossing (2001). He maintained his connection with Morrison, contributing to three albums that included The Healing Game (1997).
His session credits encompass work alongside Mose Allison, Guy Barker, Alan Barnes, Tommy Chase, Eddie Daniels, Buddy De Franco, Billy Eckstine, Georgie Fame, Stéphane Grappelli, Johnny Griffin, Abdullah Ibrahim, Julian Joseph, Pete King, Bill Le Sage, Marian McPartland, David Murray, David Newton, Anita O’Day, Dave O’Higgins, Courtney Pine, George Shearing, Tommy Smith, Clark Terry, Lew Tabakin, Stan Tracey, Mel Tormé and Tommy Whittle. Further projects involved violinist Nigel Kennedy on a United Kingdom tour of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and a duo recording of Duke Ellington’s Black, Brown And Beige. Classical settings have included performances with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Ballet. Prestigious stages he has graced range from Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2002 Dankworth assembled the Alec Dankworth Trio, featuring Phil Robson on guitar and Julian Argüelles on saxophones. Early in the decade he resumed regular work with his parents and assumed co-leadership of the Dankworth Generation Band. Alongside his performing commitments he has taught bass at the Guildhall School and at his parents’ Wavendon centre.
In 1995 Dankworth entered Van Morrison’s band for European and American dates. That same year, and again in 1997, British Jazz Awards voters named him Best Bass Player. Late in the summer of 1997 he moved to New York City, where engagements with the continuing Duke Ellington Orchestra included a Birdland residency. By the close of 1998 he had joined Dave Brubeck’s quartet, traveling across the United States to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall and Birdland, as well as undertaking a European tour. The partnership lasted until May 2001, when Dankworth returned to London; during those years he appeared on Brubeck recordings such as The 40th Anniversary Tour Of The UK (1999) and The Crossing (2001). He maintained his connection with Morrison, contributing to three albums that included The Healing Game (1997).
His session credits encompass work alongside Mose Allison, Guy Barker, Alan Barnes, Tommy Chase, Eddie Daniels, Buddy De Franco, Billy Eckstine, Georgie Fame, Stéphane Grappelli, Johnny Griffin, Abdullah Ibrahim, Julian Joseph, Pete King, Bill Le Sage, Marian McPartland, David Murray, David Newton, Anita O’Day, Dave O’Higgins, Courtney Pine, George Shearing, Tommy Smith, Clark Terry, Lew Tabakin, Stan Tracey, Mel Tormé and Tommy Whittle. Further projects involved violinist Nigel Kennedy on a United Kingdom tour of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and a duo recording of Duke Ellington’s Black, Brown And Beige. Classical settings have included performances with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Ballet. Prestigious stages he has graced range from Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2002 Dankworth assembled the Alec Dankworth Trio, featuring Phil Robson on guitar and Julian Argüelles on saxophones. Early in the decade he resumed regular work with his parents and assumed co-leadership of the Dankworth Generation Band. Alongside his performing commitments he has taught bass at the Guildhall School and at his parents’ Wavendon centre.
Albums
