​Tributes have been paid to legendary saxophonist Sir John Dankworth, who headlined at Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

The 82-year-old, described by fans as one of the “aristocrats of jazz”, died in hospital on Saturday.

The musician, who toured with industry legends such as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, was well loved in Cheltenham for his performances at the annual festival.

His last sell-out show was at the 2008 festival, when he performed with his wife, Dame Cleo Laine.

Ian George, director of the festival, paid tribute to the popular star.

“It is so sad to lose a great saxophonist and British legend,” he said. “It was a great honour for the festival to have Johnny performing here.”

His death follows that of another jazz great, Humphrey Lyttleton, a couple of years ago.

Mr George said the name Dankworth was synonymous with jazz, with his son Alec playing the double bass and his daughter Jacqui a singer and actress.

He said: “It was a sold-out show when he last came to the town. They were still performing brilliantly well into their 80s, which showed their love of the music.”

He said festival-goers would always remember that show.

Johnny returned to the stage in December after a period of illness.

He appeared at the London Jazz Festival and played his saxophone from his wheelchair at the Royal Festival Hall.

Johnny met Cleo Laine in 1950 while auditioning singers for his band, The Dankworth Seven. They married in 1958.

He had carried out his national service for the Royal Army Service Corps, much of it spent playing with an army dance band in Cirencester.

He toured the US with his jazz orchestra, sharing the bill with Duke Ellington, and was musical director to jazz greats including Ella Fitzgerald.

He later turned his attention to film and television, going on to compose many scores, including those for Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Darling and The Avengers.

He was appointed CBE in 1974 and received a knighthood in the 2006 new year honours.