[Dixielandjazz] Jack Parnell RIP

[Robert Ringwald]

Muppet Show Conductor Jack Parnell Dies
London Telegraph, August 9, 2010

Bandleader and drummer Jack Parnell -- whose career as a TV composer saw him lead
the music on The Muppet Show for many years -- has died at the age of 87, his family
has announced.
Parnell provided the music for shows such as Sunday Night At The London Palladium
and wrote the theme tunes to programmes including The Golden Shot during his long
spell as musical director at ATV.
He died at home in Southwold, Suffolk, yesterday following a year-long battle with
cancer. He had also suffered from lung disorder chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD).
Parnell had a musical career stretching almost seven decades, which saw him declared
best drummer in the annual Melody Maker awards for many years and a distinguished
stint as drummer in the renowned Ted Heath Band, during which he formed his own ensemble.
He continued to perform until three years ago, playing jazz in venues near his home
in Southwold, Suffolk.
His wife Veronica said: "He just used to love to tap away."
Parnell died just two days after his birthday for which he raised a glass of champagne
with his family.
His son Will -- also a composer -- said: "He was determined to make it to see his
birthday."
London-born Parnell had performance in his blood -- his father was a music hall artist
while his uncle Val ran a string of theatres including the London Palladium.
He began to study piano as a child but found his niche on the drums, making his debut
as a teenager on the seafront at Scarborough.
While serving in the RAF he became part of a band performing at the RAF Bomber Command
HQ in High Wycombe.
He went on to join Ted Heath, playing on dozens of recordings and Forces broadcasts,
and occasionally adding his vocals. Others among the line-ups included eminent jazz
players such as Kenny Ball and Ronnie Scott.
Parnell also led his own band during this time and from 1951 left Heath to lead 12-piece
and then a 16-piece band.
When ITV launched, he landed the role of musical director for ATV -- for which Parnell's
uncle Val was by now managing director.
During his decades at the broadcaster, he worked with legends such as Ella Fitzgerald,
Sammy Davis Jr, Lena Horne and Nat King Cole.
He also made series with Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, acted as a panellist
on TV talent show New Faces and was musical director for programmes such as The Benny
Hill Show and a lavish production of Peter Pan starring Mia Farrow, Sir John Gielgud
and Danny Kaye. He also composed signature tunes for programmes such as Family Fortunes.
In the late 1970s he began his association with The Muppet Show, for which he conducted
the orchestra and frequently appeared on screen. He was instrumental in getting the
jazz great Buddy Rich on the show.
Parnell retired from ATV in 1982, when it became Central Television, moving to Southwold
but continuing to perform with the all-star veterans group Best Of British Jazz with
trumpeter Kenny Baker and trombonist Don Lusher. He also played with his small group
for weekly shows at the Green Man in Rackheath, Norfolk.
Parnell, a keen golfer who was married three times, had three sons -- two of whom
are also drummers -- and two daughters.


--Bob Ringwald
www.ringwald.com
Fulton Street Jazz Band
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