Dame Cleo Laine, an acclaimed British jazz singer has died at the age of 97. She was known for her powerful vocals as well as being the first ever British woman to win a Grammy Award in a jazz category as well as performing alongside the big names such as Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles.
She was also known to have set up The Stables Arts Centre in Buckinghamshire with her late musician and composer husband John Dankworth. The arts centre shared in a statement the sadness they felt at the news of the singer’s passing saying: “We are greatly saddened today by the news that one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away”.
David Meadowcroft, chairman of the Stables charity, said: “Dame Cleo was a remarkable performer who was loved by audiences around the world and her commitment to ensuring young people had access to great music and music education will continue through the work of The Stables.”
In the same statement, artistic director Monica Ferguson shared: “Dame Cleo was admired greatly by fans, other musicians and by The Stables staff and volunteers. She will be greatly missed but her unique talent will always be remembered.”
Known for her immense talent, vocal range and ability to perform absolutely anything, Laine had an impressive four-octave vocal range, gaining the title of “one of the two greatest contribution to jazz from England, the other being gin”. The Sunday Times once describing her as “quite simply the best singer in the world.”
Being part of movies and musicals and much more, it wasn’t until she met her future husband that she finally was recognised for her talents. in 1951, she received an invitation to audition for the Johnny Dankworth Seven and amazed everyone. “I think she’s got something”, said Dankworth to what trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar replied: “She’s got everything”.
She quickly became known for her amazing vocal control and scat singing, a vocal style which enabled her to improvise melodies using her voice as an instrument. She finally won a Grammy for the live recording of a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1983. She then became dame in 1997.
In an interview, soon after the passing of her husband, she said: “I want to keep on going unless my voice develops a wobble, for as long as people want to hear me sing. Singing is the one thing that keeps me going, really.”
