Jack Parnell

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For the former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, see Jack Parnell (politician).

John Russell 'Jack' Parnell (born 6 August 1923) is an English bandleader and musician.

He was born into a theatrical family in London. His father Russ Carr was a music hall artist, before becoming a theatrical agent. His uncle Val Parnell was general manager of the London Palladium.

Parnell was educated at Brighton and Hove Grammar School and studied piano from the age of five. He studied drums for a year with Max Abrams. He made his debut, playing the drums for a concert party on the front at Scarborough in 1939. He then worked in a ballroom in Cambridge, before serving with the RAF for three years. He played in a five-piece line-up led by Buddy Featherstonhaugh at Bomber Command headquarters in High Wycombe. While he was in the RAF, he met Vic Lewis and together they formed the "Vic Lewis/Jack Parnell Jazzmen". He worked with the Ted Heath Band (1944-1951). He formed his own 12-piece line-up in 1951 and a 16-piece line-up in 1955.

During the 1940s and 1950s, he was voted best drummer in the Melody Maker poll for seven years in succession. He composed many television themes, including "Family Fortunes", "Golden Shot" and "Love Story" (for which he won the Harriet Cohen Award) In 1973, he became the first British musician to win an Academy Award, for the Barbra Streisand television special produced for ATV.

He was appointed musical director for ATV in 1956, a post he held until 1981, and served as the (real) conductor for The Muppet Show orchestra for the entire series.

In the 1970s he formed the group The Best of British Jazz with Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Tony Lee, Betty Smith and Tony Archer, which performed until 1985. The group had an incarnation from 1985 to December 1999, releasing two CDs: "The Best of British Vol 1" (CDSIV 6146) and "The Best of British Jazz Live" (MER 99100CD).

He has three sons and two daughters and in 1983 moved to Southwold, Suffolk. He likes the music of Bach and playing golf.

Currently (September 2006) the Jack Parnell Trio backs a guest musician every Tuesday evening at The Green Man pub in Rackheath,near Norwich. Forthcoming events can be found at jazzservices.org.uk by selecting Gigs -> Gigs by Region -> S East and searching for The Green Man.