For many American music fans, the name Cleo Laine might not ring a bell. But in the world of jazz, her voice was unforgettable—a deep, husky contralto that could float through ballads, scat through bebop, and soar through classical arias with equal grace.
Dame Cleo Laine, who passed away at the age of 97, wasn’t just a jazz singer—she was a global musical force. Born in 1927 in Southall, West London, to a Jamaican father and English mother, Laine defied the odds of both gender and race in postwar Britain to become one of the most internationally respected voices in jazz.
A British Star in an American Art Form
Jazz may have been born in New Orleans, but Cleo Laine proved that it could thrive across the Atlantic. Often hailed as Britain’s greatest contribution to jazz, she stood out with a voice like no other—rich, warm, and capable of incredible range and emotional depth.
Her music defied boundaries. She interpreted the works of Kurt Weill, Arnold Schoenberg, and Robert Schumann with the same elegance she brought to jazz standards. She was the only female vocalist ever to receive Grammy nominations in jazz, classical, and pop categories, a testament to her versatility.
A Life in Harmony with John Dankworth
Laine’s life and music were deeply entwined with that of her husband, Sir John Dankworth, a celebrated jazz saxophonist and bandleader. It was Dankworth who first discovered her in 1951, gave her the stage name Cleo Laine, and eventually married her in 1958.
The couple were a powerhouse on and off stage, and together they helped shape the British jazz scene. In 1970, they founded The Stables, a music venue and education center in Milton Keynes that remains a vital part of the U.K.’s cultural landscape. Both Cleo and John continued performing well into their 80s. Dankworth passed away in 2010 at the age of 82.
Beyond the Microphone
Cleo Laine wasn’t just a singer—she was an actress and performer of remarkable range. She took to the stage in productions of Shakespeare and musicals alike. One of her most surprising roles? Playing God in a production of Benjamin Britten’s “Noye’s Fludde.”
She brought sophistication to everything she touched, and her contribution to the arts earned her numerous honors, including a Damehood in 1997 for services to music.
A Lasting Legacy
The Stables, the beloved music venue Cleo and John built from the ground up, announced her passing with deep sorrow, noting she will always be remembered as its Life President and guiding spirit.
Artistic Director Monica Ferguson said it best:
“She will be greatly missed, but her unique talent will always be remembered.”
For U.S. jazz fans unfamiliar with her work, now is the time to dive in. Start with her Grammy-winning album “Cleo at Carnegie: The 10th Anniversary Concert” or explore her collaborations with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, and James Galway.
Dame Cleo Laine didn’t just sing songs—she inhabited them, reshaping jazz with a distinctly British voice that felt right at home on stages from London to New York.
🎧 Suggested Listening for New Fans:
- “He Was Beautiful”
- “Send in the Clowns”
- “You’ve Got to Do What You’ve Got to Do”
- “Cleo at Carnegie Hall” (Live)
- “Shakespeare and All That Jazz”