John Russell Parnell, an English musician and musical director, was born on August 6, 1923, and died on August 8, 2010.
In London, England, Parnell was born into a theatrical family. Val Parnell, the theatrical mogul, was his uncle.
He joined Buddy Featherstonhaugh’s Radio Rhythm Club Sextet and played drums with Vic Lewis and other servicemen who were jazz fans during his military service in the 1940s.
From 1944 until 1946, Parnell recorded with Lewis, including a cover of “Ugly Child” by the Lewis-Parnell Jazzmen.
He was chosen best drummer in the Melody Maker survey for seven years in a row during the 1940s and 1950s.
Love Story (for which he won the Harriet Cohen Award), Father Brown, The Golden Shot, and Family Fortunes are among his many television themes. He was a regular judge on ATV’s New Faces talent competition.
He also directed The Benny Hill Show’s music.
He was named musical director for ATV in 1956, a position he kept until 1981, and he was the “actual” conductor for The Muppet Show orchestra for the whole run of the show, as well as the composer of the score theme for ITC Entertainment.
Parnell was the pit orchestra conductor for Sunday Night at the London Palladium throughout the 1960s.
With Kenny Baker, Don Lusher, Betty Smith, Tony Lee, and Tony Archer, he co-founded the group The Best of British Jazz in the 1970s, which performed until 1985.
Parnell was a member of the Norfolk-based Mike Capocci Trio from 1991 until his death, alongside Capocci on piano and Mike Harris on double bass.
Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Ross, and Kathy Stobart were among the saxophonists who performed with them. He became the leader of the London Big Band in 1994, which included some of the best jazz artists in the UK.
Jack Parnell Children
Ric Parnell, who played drummer Mick Shrimpton in the film This Is Spinal Tap, was one of Parnell’s three sons and two daughters. His Other sons include Marc Parnell and Will Parnell
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