John Dankworths 70th Birthday Party, film 1
Film footage of John Dankworth’s 70th Birthday Concert on the lawn at The Stables, Wavendon, Milton Keynes held around September 1997. Tape Number One.
The film starts with Richard Mann (then Stables Chairman) and Jackie Scott, the General Manager of The Stables, standing on a raised platform on the lawn. Behind the stage is a blue backdrop with a banner which reads “COMING SOON. SITE OF NEW THEATRE. THE NEW STABLES APPEAL. BANNER & SUPPORT SUPPLIED BY THE INCREDIBLE SIGN & T-SHIRT FACTORY.” The audience sits in front and to the side of the stage on plastic seats and deck chairs and there are cars parked to the right.
Richard Mann introduces the event and asks for contributions for the artists autograph and plugs the sale of sweatshirts and souvenir programme, stressing the fact that these are autographed by the Dankworths and are a limited edition. In the absence of an expected presentation by the architect, Richard Mann and Jackie Scott explain to the audience where various parts of the new theatre will be located. The architect (Peter Hall) arrives late and she directs the audience to an exhibition giving further information.
The man introduces John Dankworth. He is joined on the stage by three band members. John Dankworth introduces Bill LeSage on the piano, Tony Kinsey on drums and Alec Dankworth on double bass.
00:07;07 John Dankworth introduces the first number, “There is No Greater Love” saying that he has chosen it because it opens with a saxophone solo and he wants to play the first note in the new theatre.
00:16:32 John Dankworth then introduces Guy Barker who plays the trumpet solo in the bands rendition of “I hear A Rhapsody”.
00:24:29 John Dankworth introduces Duncan Lamont who gives a short speech saying that in his view John Dankworth should receive a Knighthood for services to jazz. Duncan Lamont then plays the saxophone solo in the bands rendition of “Sumnmertime”
During each performance the camera alternates between the band and panning shots of the audience. The audience applauds each instrumental solo performance as the band plays each number.
At the end of the film John Dankworth reminisces about a previous performance when Bill Lesage accidentally hit the transpose button on his piano and confused the rest of the band by playing up a minor third. The film ends abruptly
A full transcript is available on request
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