Goodbye to Danny Thompson, bassist of the pentangles and John Martyn

He died at the age of 86 Danny Thompsonmember of Pentangle and bassist of John Martyn in the second half of the 70s. He also collaborated with Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, the Talk talk And many others.

Trapasso was made official by its agent. “The legendary acoustic bassist Danny Thompson died serenely in his home in Rickmansworth, in the United Kingdom. Loved musician, admired by all those with whom he worked, his production is unparalleled for the quality and also for the incredible variety of musicians with whom he collaborated. From Kate Bush and John Martyn, to his role as a founder of the legendary Band; Participation in the acronym of the Thunderbirds and on the bass for Roy Orbison when the Beatles were still the opening act; to collaborations with jazz greats such as Tubby Hayes and Stan Tracey, in addition to work with Donovan, June Tabor, Nick Drake, Richard Thompson and Blind Boys of Alabama. Single person he met.

Born in Devon, April 4, 1939, Thompson’s family moved to London when he was 6 years old. At school he learned to play the guitar, the mandolin, the trombone and the trumpet, eventually concentrated on the double bass. At 13, he built one using an old tea case and piano ropes stolen from the arches. Two years later, he bought “Victoria”, a tail double bass.

He made the first concerts in a strip club, he started on tour as a bassist of Roy Orbisonwhich in turn accompanied the Beatles on tour in the United Kingdom. It was the first and last time that Thompson used an electric bass. Replaced Jack Bruce in the Blues incorporated Of Alexis Korner in 1964. He then worked alongside artists of the caliber of Nick Drake, Ginger Baker, Graham Bond And John McLaughlinthe latter present in his Danny Thompson Trio.

In 1967, Thompson, together with guitarists Bert Jansch And John Renbournto the singer Japqui McShee and to the drummer Terry Coxformed i Pentanglewhich would unite folk, jazz and more progressive inclinations with great success, before the original formation melted in 1972.

For most of the 70s, Thomson played with John Martynforming a formidable partnership both musically and for a life lived without brakes. “Of all the musicians with whom I came into contact, Danny is the one who taught me most … in particular on the style and on the jazz technique,” said Martyn. In the 80s Thompson went on tour with Donovan. Also participated in four albums by Kate Bush: “The Dreaming”, “Hounds of Love”, “50 Words for Snow” And “Director’s cut”also collaborated with David Sylvian And Talk talk. In 1987 he released his first solo album, “Whatever Next “. For all 90s he collaborated in close contact with Richard Thompsonthen also with Cat Stevens, The Blind Boys of Alabama (winning two Grammy) and the Japanese singer Ayako.