American jazz saxophonist Plas Johnson, best known for playing the famous saxophone line on Henry Mancini's "The Pink Panther Theme," has died aged 94. His death, which occurred last week, was reported by his Louisiana hometown newspaper, the Donaldsonville Chief, in an article dated 15 July; no cause of death was given. Johnson was one of the most in-demand session musicians of his generation, and his passing marks the loss of a key figure from the era of Los Angeles studio recording later celebrated in the documentary The Wrecking Crew.

Born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, on 21 July 1931, Johnson made his recording debut in 1950 and moved to Los Angeles in 1954 after Army service, becoming a regular in Mancini's orchestra. His 1963 recording of the Pink Panther theme won three Grammy Awards and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. Over a long career he performed on records by artists including Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, Marvin Gaye, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart and, more recently, Joni Mitchell, while also releasing solo albums such as This Must Be the Plas! (1959) and The Blues (1975).