RIP Dame Cleo Laine

Art & Hue wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dame Cleo Laine following the news of her passing at the age of 97.

The iconic singer and actress become a staple of the jazz scene ever since she joined The Johnny Dankworth Seven at the age of 24. She went on to marry Dankworth, with whom she had two children, and the couple’s influence on British culture permeated from jazz clubs to TV, with Dankworth creating the music for the early series of “The Avengers“.

Some of Cleo’s film credits include “Murder by Proxy” with Alfie Bass, “The Third Alibi” with Laurence Payne, Patricia Dainton & Edward Underdown, “The Three Princes” with Timothy Dalton, and “The Last of the Blonde Bombshells” with Leslie Caron, Joan Sims & June Whitfield.

Cleo was also a regular performer on British TV, including “Six-Five Special“, “This is Tom Jones“, and “The Paul O’Grady Show”, and her voice graced many film soundtracks including “The Concrete Jungle” with Stanley Baker, and “The Servant” with Dirk Bogarde.

A charming and engaging performer, who brought the art of jazz into many homes, Cleo’s contribution to music and British culture endures.

R.I.P. Dame Cleo Laine
28th October 1927 – 24th July 2025