Plas Johnson, pioneering jazz musician known for ‘Pink Panther,’ dead at 94

Digital Editor

LOS ANGELES —

A pioneering jazz musician, known for one of the most famous saxophone solos in music history, has died.

Plas Johnson died July 15 at his home in Los Angeles, multiple outlets report. He was 94.

Johnson is perhaps best known for performing the iconic tenor saxophone solo on Henry Mancini’s 1963 “The Pink Panther Theme,” which remains one of the most famous saxophone solos in music history.

He was also one of the most sought-after session musicians of the 20th century, recording with artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Marvin Gaye, Peggy Lee and B.B. King.

A versatile musician, Johnson also performed on alto and baritone sax, as well as other woodwind instruments.

He played on several film and television scores, and was a key figure among the elite Los Angeles studio musicians known as the “Wrecking Crew.”

Bob Corritore, a harmonica player and record producer who worked with Johnson, paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying in part, “He was blessed with a warm, full tone and beautiful phrasing that he carried with him his whole life. A musician’s musician.”