Plas Johnson, the celebrated jazz saxophonist famous for playing the iconic theme song from “The Pink Panther,” passed away at the age of 94.
The Donaldsonville Chief, a Louisiana newspaper, reported the death of Johnson in Granada Hills. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Saxophonist Teddy Johnson learned to play from his father and studied music at the Westlake School of Music in Los Angeles after serving in the Army in 1951, as reported by Long Beach jazz station KKJZ following his recent passing. Once settled in Los Angeles, he quickly became a sought-after performer and studio musician, working with legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Marvin Gaye.
Music
“We are shattered by the loss of our beloved bandmate, sister and friend,” L7 said in a statement.
Johnson explained that studio recordings aren’t where jazz musicians get better – they go into the studio because of their existing skills. He felt his improvisations consistently elevated the quality of a record, sometimes with just eight or twelve bars of playing, and he often added instrumental fills after the vocalist finished singing.
His skillful and elegant solo performance on Henry Mancini’s theme from the 1963 movie “The Pink Panther” became instantly recognizable, representing a cool and sophisticated style of jazz. The music earned three Grammy Awards and was nominated for an Academy Award. The American Film Institute ranked it among the top twenty greatest film scores ever written.
Originally from Louisiana, Johnson played regularly with Mancini’s orchestra throughout the 1950s and 60s. In 1970, he joined the house band for the Merv Griffin show. Later in life, he shared his experiences as a Los Angeles studio musician during the lively 1960s and 70s in the 2008 documentary, “The Wrecking Crew.”
Information about survivors was not immediately available.
2026-07-22 01:01