Danny Thompson obit

Legendary Bassist Danny Thompson Has Died

 

He was not on the list.

Legendary bass player Danny Thompson has died.

The musician’s passing was confirmed officially by his team a few moments ago; Danny Thompson passed away “peacefully” at home in Rickmansworth yesterday (September 23rd).

A towering musician in his field, the bass player had a jazz background, playing with the likes of Tubby Hayes and Stan Tracey in the process. A formidable figure at Soho jazz sessions, Danny Thompson was drawn into the orbit of some adventurous folk musicians, taking up a role in Pentangle.

The group’s pioneering spirit melted together folk, blues, jazz and beyond, while Danny Thompson’s session work saw him play with Donovan, and appear onstage with Tim Buckley at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

A key part of Joe Boyd’s creative network of musicians, Danny Thompson played on Nick Drake’s ‘Five Leaves Left’ and ‘Bryter Layter’ albums, worked frequently on seminal material by Richard Thompson, before forming an incredible decade-long partnership with John Martyn.

Working extensively, Danny Thompson recorded on a multitude of projects, with the 21st century – and the rise of freak folk – shining renewed light on his achievements.

A later tour alongside Ryley Walker brought those generations together, with Danny remaining a musical presence until the last.

A statement from his team reads:

A musician who was both beloved and admired by everybody he worked with, his body of work is unparalleled in its quality and also in the incredibly varied number of musicians he worked with.

Danny was a force of nature. A player who served the song and who enriched the lives of every single person he met. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia and his son Dan Junior.