JOHNNY Dankworth, performer, composer and bandleader, was a mainstay of the British Jazz scene for 60 years.

He served as musical director to Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, and wrote the catchy theme tunes for The Avengers and Tomorrow’s World.

Jacqui Dankworth was extremely close to her father and shortly after his death, in 2010, she released an album – It Happens Quietly - as an emotional tribute to him.

“It’s funny, I was moving some stuff from my mum’s house the other day, and I had to shift some of dad’s paperwork and boxes and I sat on the stairs thinking how many incredible things dad did in his life,” said Jacqui who returns to the Grand, Clitheroe, next Friday.

“It was quite emotional to be honest, it brought back a lot of memories of him.

“He led an astonishingly productive life and was a very kind and funny man. Certainly, there was never a dull moment in his company.”

Her father was very driven, devoting much of his life to putting jazz and classical music on the same stage.

“He had to work incredibly hard to produce the volume of work he did and that rich musical legacy still lives on,” said Jacqui.

“It was dad talking on the album which made it incredibly hard to complete because he died before it was finished.”

The daughter of Dame Cleo Laine, Jacqui enjoyed a celebrity-filled childhood, joining her parents on tour during the school holidays and having dinner with stars like Frank Sinatra.

“I’d just arrived back from holiday that day and mum, who was supporting Frank Sinatra at the Royal Albert Hall, called me and said come down,” she recalled.

“So I caught the 73 bus, dressed in T-shirt and shorts and met my mum who told me that we were going to dinner with Mr Sinatra.

“Mum gave me some earrings and I put a bit of make-up on, and the next thing I knew I was in a swish dining room with a group of incredibly wealthy people dripping in diamonds with Sinatra sat at the top of the table.

“I just remember this very laid-back and charismatic man, but when he sung it was just the most incredible thing to listen to.

“Sinatra was a bit older then, and his voice had lost its strength a little bit, but he was able to act those songs – he was emotionally involved in every note.”

Jacqui will be joined at the Grand by her husband, American pianist Charlie Wood, for a concert of duets including songs from Ray Charles and Betty Carter to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

“Charlie’s a phenomenal artist and I adore him and his music,” added Jacqui.

“I played in Clitheroe at the Ribble Valley Jazz Festival a few years ago, so it will be great to go back there again.”

Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood, Clitheroe Grand, Friday, November 11. Details from 01200 421599 or thegrandvenue.co.uk