Tributes have beeen paid to British jazz legend Sir John Dankworth after he died aged 82.
The saxophonist, whose career spanned more more than half a century, died in King Edward VII hospital, London. He had been ill for several months.
His death was announced by his jazz singer wife, Dame Cleo Laine, during a star-studded concert marking the 40th anniversary of the entertainment venue they set up together at their Buckinghamshire home.
Better known as Johnny Dankworth before he was knighted in 2006, Sir John started his own jazz orchestra in the 1950s and went on to work with the likes of Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.
He was also a prolific composer, writing the theme tune for TV shows The Avengers and Tomorrow's World, and films including Modesty Blaise, The Servant and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.
Jazz star Jamie Cullum paid tribute to the musician on his Twitter page, calling him a genius.
He added: "Sir John Dankworth - a great man and one of our finest musicians and composers has died. Rest in peace sir."
Jazzwise magazine hailed the performer as "one of the totemic figures of British jazz" and the country's "first major jazz musician".
His agent Jim Murtha also told the BBC: "For British jazz and jazz around the world, I believe John has become such an international figure, particularly since he became Sir John Dankworth a few years ago."
A concert marking the 40th anniversary of The Stables, which is in the grounds of Sir John's home in Wavendon, Bucks, went ahead as planned.
