Rhythm section

Alec Dankworth
Alec has been the LJO's bass player since its inception in 1991.
In the ‘80s he worked with Tommy Chase, The Clark Tracey Quintet, Jean Toussaint, Michael Garrick, Stéphane Grappelli, Tommy Smith, Alan Barnes, and Nigel Kennedy.
In 1995 Alec joined the Van Morrison group touring Europe and America and recording three albums, including The Healing Game. 1997 saw a move to New York, where he performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, plus a residency at Birdland. A year later Alec joined The Dave Brubeck Quartet, performing quartet, pops and choral concerts including the New Orleans Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall.
He was voted Best Bass Player in the 1995 and 1997 British Jazz Awards, working with Julian Joseph, Peter King, Guy Barker, Martin Taylor, Dave O’Higgins, and Abdullah Ibrahim.
Since 2001, in addition to performing with his own groups, Alec has worked with the Tony Coe Trio, Alan Barnes, the John Critchinson Trio, Georgie Fame’s Blue Flames, Chris Garrick, the Steve Waterman Trio and the Zoe Rahman Trio with drummer Gene Calderazzo.
In 2012 Alec joined Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion, featuring Pee Wee Ellis. The group toured the US and Europe in 2013, and recorded an album (Why?, Motema Records) in 2014.
Over the years Alec has also recorded with Buddy de Franco, John Williams, James Galway and the London Symphony Orchestra. and performed with Mose Allison, Guy Barker, Eddie Daniels, Billy Eckstine, Georgie Fame, Stephanne Grappelli, Johnny Griffin, Pete King, Abdullah Ibrahim, Julian Joseph, Marian McPartland, David Murray, Anita O’Day, Dave O’Higgins, Courtney Pine, George Shearing, Tommy Smith, Clark Terry, Lew Tabakin, Stan Tracey, Mel Torme and the Royal Ballet.