Plas Johnson, Jazz Artist And 'pink Panther' Saxophonist, Dies At 94

Plas Johnson, nan jazz saxophonist champion known for his ageless solo connected nan taxable to “The Pink Panther,” has died. He was 94.

Johnson’s decease successful Granada Hills was reported successful his Louisiana hometown newspaper, nan Donaldsonville Chief. No origin of decease was provided.

According to Long Beach jazz position KKJZ, which besides memorialized Johnson’s death, Johnson learned saxophone from his begetter and attended Westlake School of Music successful Los Angeles aft his Army work successful 1951. After moving to Los Angeles, he became a favourite unrecorded and convention subordinate for galore midcentury greats, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Marvin Gaye.

“You don’t amended your jazz successful nan studio. You’re successful nan workplace because of nan jazz and blues that you know,” Johnson said successful one interview. “My solos ever seemed to bring nan grounds up different notch. I could do that successful 8 bars, I could do that successful 12 bars, and I utilized to possibly do fills down nan vocalist aft that.”

His nimble, stylish solo connected Henry Mancini’s 1963 taxable to nan police-caper drama “The Pink Panther” became taste shorthand for an era of sly jazz panache. It won 3 Grammy awards and an Oscar information for original score. The American Film Institute put it successful nan apical 20 of nan all-time top movie scores.

Born successful Louisiana, Johnson was a regular successful Mancini’s orchestra successful nan ‘50s and ‘60s. He began playing successful Merv Griffin’s workplace set successful 1970, appeared successful nan 2008 documentary “The Wrecking Crew,” discussing nan vibrant and eager era of L.A. convention musicians successful nan ‘60s and ‘70s.

Information astir survivors was not instantly available.