BEIJING, Feb. 9 -- Saxophonist Sir John Dankworth, one of the leading figures in British jazz for more than half a century, has died at the age of 82.

The saxophonist worked closely with jazz legends like Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson and composed the music for a string of films and television programs.

The musician, described by Jazzwise magazine as "one of the totemic figures of British jazz" died in a London hospital Saturday after a short but undisclosed illness.

Seen as Britain's first international jazz musician, he influenced generations of British performers.

Singer Jamie Cullum said Dankworth was a "genius."

Born in southeast England in 1927, Dankworth composed scores for 1960s films Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and Modesty Blaise.