Cleo Laine, legendary British jazz singer and Tony-nominated actress, dies at 97

Renowned jazz singer and Tony-nominated actress Cleo Laine passed away at 97, leaving behind a lasting musical legacy.

Dame Cleo Laine, one of Britain’s most celebrated jazz vocalists and a prominent figure in theater, died on Thursday at the age of 97. Her death was confirmed by representatives from The Stables, the Buckinghamshire arts center she co-founded with her husband, composer and saxophonist John Dankworth. No cause of death was disclosed.

Widely regarded as the U.K.’s foremost jazz singer, Laine earned international acclaim for her remarkable vocal range and distinctive style. The BBC called her “the most recognizable British jazz singer in history,” while The Sunday Times once described her as “quite simply the best singer in the world.”

Though her roots were in the U.K., Laine made a significant impact in the U.S. as well. She received a Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her performance as Princess Puffer in Broadway’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood and was recognized with multiple Grammy nominations across jazz, pop, and classical categories — a rare achievement. Her only Grammy win came in 1985 for Cleo at Carnegie – The 10th Anniversary Concert.

Laine’s discography includes collaborations with music legends like Ray Charles, Mel Tormé, James Galway, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. She also performed alongside Frank Sinatra during a five-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1992.

Beyond music, Laine had a distinguished stage career, performing in both Broadway and West End productions. Her portrayal of Julie in a 1971 London revival of Show Boat ran for hundreds of performances. In 1989, she earned critical praise for her role as the Witch in a touring production of Into the Woods.

Born in Southall, Middlesex in 1927, Laine began her career after auditioning for a band led by Dankworth, whom she married in 1958. The couple remained together until his death in 2010. Laine continued performing into her 90s, often appearing onstage with her children Alec and Jacqui, both musicians.

Laine was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1979 and remembered as a trailblazer whose influence on British jazz remains unmatched. She is survived by her two children.