Laurie Johnson RIP

[Teasing the Korean]

British composer/arranger Laurie Johnson died on January 16, 2024, just shy of his 97th birthday.

He is perhaps best remembered for his The Avengers music, which helped to create the template for the 1960s spy sound.

His Symphony: Synthesis, for orchestra and jazz band, is worth hearing.

 

Edited January 22, 2024 by Teasing the Korean

[sidewinder]

That's really sad news - I have the LP 'Synthesis', a third stream project he recorded with Tubby Hayes and Joe Harriott, amongst others.

I saw him about 20 years ago conducting the main RAF military orchestra in an open air show at an air tattoo. Really enjoyable- may he RIP.

[Teasing the Korean]

Johnson did a lot of library/production music, and was a master at conveying the mid-century bustling metropolis mood.

 

 

[sidewinder]

The jazz theme from 'Synthesis' was also used for many years as intro to BBC Radio 2 Sunday night 'Sounds of Jazz' show, so very familiar.

[mikeweil]

The Avengers never left my memory after I once heard it. R.I.P.

[Teasing the Korean]

48 minutes ago, sidewinder said:

The jazz theme from 'Synthesis' was also used for many years as intro to BBC Radio 2 Sunday night 'Sounds of Jazz' show, so very familiar.

Do you know which movement or passage was the theme?  Or can you find a link?  I couldn't find one.

[sidewinder]

7 minutes ago, Teasing the Korean said:

Do you know which movement or passage was the theme?  Or can you find a link?  I couldn't find one.

It's not on the clip you posted. It's the jazz section that comes after the orchestral 'intro'. Both Hayes and Kenny Wheeler are featured in that bit, I recall.

The whole thing was very well recorded by Adrian Kerridge of Lansdowne Studio - up at Watford Town Hall I think. It's also a rare example of Joe Harriott leading a big band sax section, which he does superbly.

Edited January 22, 2024 by sidewinder

[mjazzg]

I've just bought a copy of 'Synthesis' off the back of this discussion, thank you gents.

[sidewinder]

11 minutes ago, mjazzg said:

I've just bought a copy of 'Synthesis' off the back of this discussion, thank you gents.

It's one of those LPs which has never been too difficult to get hold of, nor very expensive. I guess the orchestral side of it puts a lot of people off - the big band section of the LP effectively has a symphonic 'wrapper'. Personally, I like it though.

Edited January 22, 2024 by sidewinder

[mjazzg]

Sounds intriguing as did a few online clips so for less than £20 delivered why not?

[sidewinder]

9 minutes ago, mjazzg said:

Sounds intriguing as did a few online clips so for less than £20 delivered why not?

Indeed, it is worth every penny ! Plus excellently recorded by Mr Kerridge so can't go wrong.

Somewhere in my collection I also have an Australian pressing of this one put out by World Record Club.

[sidewinder]

Wasn't aware that he was also the composer of the 'This Is Your Life' theme - an iconic tune over here (or at least it used to be).

Plus - possibly of interest to TTK - he wrote the theme music for 'Jason King' !

Edited January 22, 2024 by sidewinder

[Teasing the Korean]

6 hours ago, sidewinder said:

The jazz theme from 'Synthesis' was also used for many years as intro to BBC Radio 2 Sunday night 'Sounds of Jazz' show, so very familiar.

I'm guessing it is either the 2nd or 4th movement then.

 

[Teasing the Korean]

1 hour ago, sidewinder said:

Plus - possibly of interest to TTK - he wrote the theme music for 'Jason King' !

👍 

Also of potential interest to jazz enthusiasts is his 1960s LP Two Cities Suite, available in its entirety on a CD called Laurie Johnson with a Vengeance.

 

Variety obit.

https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/laurie-johnson-dead-the-avengers-composer-1235881855/?fbclid=IwAR2QIXaIb3-zg8bgTGRlGp45nJfVn5B9q5HGOABcACXSlqt9DiGhNTbYwi8

[sidewinder]

40 minutes ago, Teasing the Korean said:

I'm guessing it is either the 2nd or 4th movement then.

 

2nd movement was the BBC Sounds of Jazz intro music (first bit of it).

[Teasing the Korean]

7 minutes ago, sidewinder said:

2nd movement was the BBC Sounds of Jazz intro music (first bit of it).

👍

[sgcim]

he was a close friend of Bernard Herrmann's, and did films like Dr. Strangelove, Capt. Kronos Vampire hunter, The Maids

, and many other UK movies.He used a very hip drummer on he last Avengers series Does anyone know who that was? Maybe Randy Jones or someone like that?

RIP