Remembering Cleo Laine: Britain’s First Lady of Jazz Dies at 97
Dame Cleo Laine, the legendary British jazz singer known for her breathtaking vocal range and genre-crossing career, has passed away at the age of 97. Her family announced the news, saying she died peacefully and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
If you’ve ever listened to British jazz, then you’ve likely heard the name Cleo Laine. She wasn’t just a singer—she was a trailblazer. She rose from humble beginnings in Southall, Middlesex, where she was born Clementina Dinah Campbell in 1927, the daughter of a Jamaican WWI veteran and an English farmer’s daughter. Money was tight, and her father would sometimes sing in the streets just to feed the family. But despite the hardship, her parents managed to afford music lessons, which sparked a love for performing that would last her entire life.
She began singing at just three years old at community events, and even made a film appearance at 12. But it wasn’t an easy path—she took on all sorts of jobs, from hat-making to working in a pawnbroker's shop, all while chasing her dream.
That big break finally came in 1951, when she auditioned for jazz musician Johnny Dankworth’s band. She nailed it. Soon after, she adopted the stage name Cleo Laine—chosen from a hat, quite literally—and the rest was history. Not only did she marry Dankworth, but the two became a powerhouse musical duo, performing together for decades and founding The Stables arts centre in Buckinghamshire to nurture future generations of musicians.
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Cleo wasn’t just famous for singing jazz. She had a four-octave range and sang everything from Shakespearean verse to avant-garde classical music. She even landed a top 10 pop hit in 1961. She was the first British jazz singer to win a Grammy and the only woman ever to be nominated for Grammys in jazz, classical, and pop categories.
She toured the U.S., sold out Carnegie Hall, and collaborated with icons like Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. Critics adored her. One called her "quite simply the best singer in the world." Another joked that Britain’s only real jazz contributions were gin and Cleo Laine.
In 2010, her husband John Dankworth passed away just hours before a major concert. Still, Cleo took the stage with her children, saving the heartbreaking news until the very end—a moment that showed the sheer strength of her spirit.
Even into her 90s, she continued to sing occasionally. She once said, "Singing is the one thing that keeps me going." And truly, her voice, wit, and passion carried her—and us—for nearly a century.
Dame Cleo Laine leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of music, love, and resilience. She will be missed, but never forgotten.
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