Latest news with #TheStables
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Singer Cleo Laine, regarded as Britain's greatest jazz voice, dies at 97
Cleo Laine, whose husky contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz and who was regarded by many as Britain's greatest contribution to the quintessentially American music, has died. She was 97. The Stables, a charity and venue Laine founded with her late jazz musician husband John Dankworth, said Friday it was "greatly saddened' by the news that "one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away." Monica Ferguson, artistic director of The Stables, said Laine "will be greatly missed, but her unique talent will always be remembered.' Laine's career spanned the Atlantic and crossed genres: She sang the songs of Kurt Weill, Arnold Schoenberg and Robert Schumann; she acted on stage and on film, and even played God in a production of Benjamin Britten's "Noye's Fludde." Laine's life and art were intimately bound up with band leader Dankworth, who gave her a job and her stage name in 1951, and married her seven years later. Both were still performing after their 80th birthdays. Dankworth died in 2010 at 82. In 1997, Laine became the first British jazz artist to be made a dame, the female equivalent of a knight. "It is British jazz that should have received the accolade for its service to me," she said when the honor was announced. "It has given me a wonderful life, a successful career and an opportunity to travel the globe doing what I love to do." Associated Press
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Dame Cleo Laine, the ‘First Lady of Jazz', dies aged 97
Nicknamed the First Lady of Jazz, she was a Grammy award-winning, leading figure of the British jazz music scene along with her late husband, saxophonist Sir John Dankworth, for many years and worked with the likes of Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. A statement from her children, Jacqui and Alec Dankworth, said: 'It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Cleo, who died peacefully yesterday afternoon. 'We will all miss her terribly. The family wish to be given space to grieve and ask for privacy at this very difficult time.' The Stables, a charity and venue founded by Dame Cleo and Sir John, said in a statement it was 'greatly saddened' by the news that 'one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away'. David Meadowcroft, chairman of the 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.' Monica Ferguson, chief executive and artistic director of The Stables, said: '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.' Sir John, who had been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for more than 50 years, died aged 82 in 2010. She was the daughter of a Jamaican father and English mother whose childhood in Southall, west London, was supported by her father's busking talents. Her early singing experience started at home, with group family singalongs alongside her music-loving father. But before her musical career really took off, Dame Cleo was confined to the life of a hairdresser's assistant. She never gave up, entering talent contests and she sang on a semi-professional basis before finally auditioning for the Johnny Dankworth Seven. After that, she never looked back. She and Sir John, who married in 1958, worked with some of the top names in the music business – and she scored a UK top 10 hit in 1961 with You'll Answer To Me. She previously told the PA news agency: 'At the age of three I was singing, because our family sang, and we entertained each other. So right from a very early age there was this kind of Cinderella dream that I was going to do all this. 'When I wrote my autobiography I realised it was quite a Cinderella story in some ways. 'To me the wonderful thing is actually having done it, not the accolade, but to be singing, and to be singing at the age I am now. That is the best part of it.' Laine received a Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1985. In 2002 the British Jazz Awards honoured her with their Life Achievement Award. Although best known as a jazz singer, Laine was also an accomplished actress, playing at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1958 and starring in Show Boat at the Adelphi. She became a dame in the 1997 Birthday Honours, saying at the time: 'I am of course, deeply honoured, but I think they have got the reason for it slightly wrong. 'It is British jazz that should have received the accolade for its service to me – it has given me a wonderful life, a successful career and an opportunity to travel the globe doing what I love to do, listening to and working with some of the world's most creative musicians. 'I'm a very lucky lady and I'm extremely grateful.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Dame Cleo Laine, the ‘First Lady of Jazz', dies aged 97
Nicknamed the First Lady of Jazz, she was a Grammy award-winning, leading figure of the British jazz music scene along with her late husband, saxophonist Sir John Dankworth, for many years and worked with the likes of Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. A statement from her children, Jacqui and Alec Dankworth, said: 'It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Cleo, who died peacefully yesterday afternoon. 'We will all miss her terribly. The family wish to be given space to grieve and ask for privacy at this very difficult time.' The Stables, a charity and venue founded by Dame Cleo and Sir John, said in a statement it was 'greatly saddened' by the news that 'one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away'. David Meadowcroft, chairman of the 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.' Monica Ferguson, chief executive and artistic director of The Stables, said: '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.' Sir John, who had been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for more than 50 years, died aged 82 in 2010. She was the daughter of a Jamaican father and English mother whose childhood in Southall, west London, was supported by her father's busking talents. Her early singing experience started at home, with group family singalongs alongside her music-loving father. But before her musical career really took off, Dame Cleo was confined to the life of a hairdresser's assistant. She never gave up, entering talent contests and she sang on a semi-professional basis before finally auditioning for the Johnny Dankworth Seven. After that, she never looked back. She and Sir John, who married in 1958, worked with some of the top names in the music business – and she scored a UK top 10 hit in 1961 with You'll Answer To Me. She previously told the PA news agency: 'At the age of three I was singing, because our family sang, and we entertained each other. So right from a very early age there was this kind of Cinderella dream that I was going to do all this. 'When I wrote my autobiography I realised it was quite a Cinderella story in some ways. 'To me the wonderful thing is actually having done it, not the accolade, but to be singing, and to be singing at the age I am now. That is the best part of it.' Laine received a Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1985. In 2002 the British Jazz Awards honoured her with their Life Achievement Award. Although best known as a jazz singer, Laine was also an accomplished actress, playing at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1958 and starring in Show Boat at the Adelphi. She became a dame in the 1997 Birthday Honours, saying at the time: 'I am of course, deeply honoured, but I think they have got the reason for it slightly wrong. 'It is British jazz that should have received the accolade for its service to me – it has given me a wonderful life, a successful career and an opportunity to travel the globe doing what I love to do, listening to and working with some of the world's most creative musicians. 'I'm a very lucky lady and I'm extremely grateful.'
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Dame Cleo Laine, the ‘First Lady of Jazz', dies aged 97
Nicknamed the First Lady of Jazz, she was a Grammy award-winning, leading figure of the British jazz music scene along with her late husband, saxophonist Sir John Dankworth, for many years and worked with the likes of Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. A statement from her children, Jacqui and Alec Dankworth, said: 'It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Cleo, who died peacefully yesterday afternoon. 'We will all miss her terribly. The family wish to be given space to grieve and ask for privacy at this very difficult time.' The Stables, a charity and venue founded by Dame Cleo and Sir John, said in a statement it was 'greatly saddened' by the news that 'one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away'. David Meadowcroft, chairman of the 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.' Monica Ferguson, chief executive and artistic director of The Stables, said: '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.' Sir John, who had been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for more than 50 years, died aged 82 in 2010. She was the daughter of a Jamaican father and English mother whose childhood in Southall, west London, was supported by her father's busking talents. Her early singing experience started at home, with group family singalongs alongside her music-loving father. But before her musical career really took off, Dame Cleo was confined to the life of a hairdresser's assistant. She never gave up, entering talent contests and she sang on a semi-professional basis before finally auditioning for the Johnny Dankworth Seven. After that, she never looked back. She and Sir John, who married in 1958, worked with some of the top names in the music business – and she scored a UK top 10 hit in 1961 with You'll Answer To Me. She previously told the PA news agency: 'At the age of three I was singing, because our family sang, and we entertained each other. So right from a very early age there was this kind of Cinderella dream that I was going to do all this. 'When I wrote my autobiography I realised it was quite a Cinderella story in some ways. 'To me the wonderful thing is actually having done it, not the accolade, but to be singing, and to be singing at the age I am now. That is the best part of it.' Laine received a Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1985. In 2002 the British Jazz Awards honoured her with their Life Achievement Award. Although best known as a jazz singer, Laine was also an accomplished actress, playing at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1958 and starring in Show Boat at the Adelphi. She became a dame in the 1997 Birthday Honours, saying at the time: 'I am of course, deeply honoured, but I think they have got the reason for it slightly wrong. 'It is British jazz that should have received the accolade for its service to me – it has given me a wonderful life, a successful career and an opportunity to travel the globe doing what I love to do, listening to and working with some of the world's most creative musicians. 'I'm a very lucky lady and I'm extremely grateful.'
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Dame Cleo Laine, the ‘First Lady of Jazz', dies aged 97
Veteran jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, famed for her scat singing style, has died at the age of 97. Nicknamed the First Lady of Jazz, she was a Grammy award-winning, leading figure of the British jazz music scene along with her late husband, saxophonist Sir John Dankworth, for many years and worked with the likes of Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. A statement from her children, Jacqui and Alec Dankworth, said: 'It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Cleo, who died peacefully yesterday afternoon. 'We will all miss her terribly. The family wish to be given space to grieve and ask for privacy at this very difficult time.' The Stables, a charity and venue founded by Dame Cleo and Sir John, said in a statement it was 'greatly saddened' by the news that 'one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away'. David Meadowcroft, chairman of the 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.' Monica Ferguson, chief executive and artistic director of The Stables, said: '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.' Sir John, who had been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for more than 50 years, died aged 82 in 2010. She was the daughter of a Jamaican father and English mother whose childhood in Southall, west London, was supported by her father's busking talents. Her early singing experience started at home, with group family singalongs alongside her music-loving father. But before her musical career really took off, Dame Cleo was confined to the life of a hairdresser's assistant. She never gave up, entering talent contests and she sang on a semi-professional basis before finally auditioning for the Johnny Dankworth Seven. After that, she never looked back. She and Sir John, who married in 1958, worked with some of the top names in the music business – and she scored a UK top 10 hit in 1961 with You'll Answer To Me. She previously told the PA news agency: 'At the age of three I was singing, because our family sang, and we entertained each other. So right from a very early age there was this kind of Cinderella dream that I was going to do all this. 'When I wrote my autobiography I realised it was quite a Cinderella story in some ways. 'To me the wonderful thing is actually having done it, not the accolade, but to be singing, and to be singing at the age I am now. That is the best part of it.' Laine received a Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1985. In 2002 the British Jazz Awards honoured her with their Life Achievement Award. Although best known as a jazz singer, Laine was also an accomplished actress, playing at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1958 and starring in Show Boat at the Adelphi. She became a dame in the 1997 Birthday Honours, saying at the time: 'I am of course, deeply honoured, but I think they have got the reason for it slightly wrong. 'It is British jazz that should have received the accolade for its service to me – it has given me a wonderful life, a successful career and an opportunity to travel the globe doing what I love to do, listening to and working with some of the world's most creative musicians. 'I'm a very lucky lady and I'm extremely grateful.'
