June 29th: Today's Feature

June

Dame Cleo Laine, Lady Dankworth DBE, is a renowned English singer and actress celebrated for her unique scat singing style. Born as Clementine Dinah Hitching on 28 October 1927 in Southall, Middlesex, she has a fascinating background that adds depth to her artistry. Her father, Alexander Sylvan Campbell, was a Jamaican labourer with a passion for busking, while her mother, Minnie Bullock, hailed from Swindon, Wiltshire. The diverse cultural influences in her upbringing have undoubtedly shaped her exceptional talent and musical prowess.

Early life & Education

Despite the challenges of a constantly moving childhood, Dame Cleo Laine found comfort and passion in music. Growing up in Southall, she discovered her love for singing and dancing at an early age, which eventually led her to pursue a career in the arts. It wasn't until she was 26 years old, preparing for a tour of Germany, that she uncovered her true birth name. This revelation added another layer of complexity to her identity, reflecting the unconventional and intriguing aspects of her personal history.

Dame Cleo Laine's educational journey further highlights her determination and versatility. From attending the Board School on Featherstone Road in Southall to working in various roles such as an apprentice hairdresser, hat-trimmer, librarian, and pawnbroker's shop assistant, she demonstrated a strong work ethic and a thirst for knowledge. Her diverse experiences undoubtedly contributed to her multifaceted artistry, making her a true icon in the world of music and performance. Dame Cleo Laine's story is not just one of talent and success but also of resilience, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Career

Laine auditioned successfully, at the age of 24, for John Dankworth's small group, the Johnny Dankworth Seven. Laine later played with his big bands, Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra as well as Johnny Dankworth & His New Radio Orchestra, with which she performed until 1958. Dankworth and Laine married that year. She played the lead in Barry Reckord's Flesh to a Tiger at London's Royal Court Theatre, home of the new wave of playwrights of the 1950s such as John Osborne and Harold Pinter.

The same year, she played the title role in The Barren One, Sylvia Wynter's adaptation of Federico García Lorca's Yerma. This led to other stage performances, such as the musical Valmouth in 1959, the play A Time to Laugh (with Robert Morley and Ruth Gordon) in 1962, Boots With Strawberry Jam (with John Neville) in 1968, and eventually to her role as Julie in Wendy Toye's production of Show Boat at the Adelphi Theatre in London in 1971. Show Boat had its longest run to date in that London season with 910 performances staged.

During this period, she had two major recording successes. "You'll Answer to Me" reached the British Top 10 while Laine was "prima donna" in the 1961 Edinburgh Festival production of Kurt Weill's opera/ballet The Seven Deadly Sins, directed and choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan. In 1964, her Shakespeare and All that Jazz album with Dankworth was well received. Dankworth and Laine founded the Stables theatre in 1970, in what was the old stables block in the grounds of their home. It eventually hosted over 350 concerts per year.

Laine's international activities began in 1972, with a successful first tour of Australia, where she released six top-100 albums throughout the 1970s. Shortly afterwards, her career in the United States was launched with a concert at New York's Lincoln Center, followed in 1973 by the first of many Carnegie Hall appearances. Coast-to-coast tours of the US and Canada soon followed, and with them a succession of record albums and television appearances, including The Muppet Show in 1977. This led, after several nominations, to her first Grammy award, in recognition of the live recording of her 1983 Carnegie concert. She has continued to tour periodically, including in Australia in 2005.

Cleo Laine's impressive collaborations with renowned musicians such as James Galway, Nigel Kennedy, Julian Lloyd Webber, and John Williams have solidified her status as a true musical virtuoso. These partnerships have allowed her to showcase her exceptional talent and versatility across various genres and styles. From classical to jazz, Laine's ability to seamlessly adapt and connect with different artists is a testament to her extraordinary musicality.

Legacy

Laine's journey in the world of musical theatre began in Britain and flourished in the United States, where she delivered captivating performances in iconic productions. Notably, her starring roles in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music and Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow at the Michigan Opera showcased her exceptional stage presence and vocal prowess. Her ability to bring characters to life through her performances earned her critical acclaim and admiration from audiences worldwide.

In addition to her theatrical achievements, Laine's contributions to the music industry have been recognised with prestigious accolades. Her duet albums with the legendary Ray Charles, including their remarkable rendition of Porgy and Bess, have left an indelible mark on the music landscape. Furthermore, her interpretation of Arnold Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire garnered a Grammy Award nomination, solidifying her reputation as a versatile and accomplished artist. Laine's dedication to her craft and her unwavering commitment to excellence have made her an iconic figure in the world of music and performance.

Derek Jewel of the Sunday Times dubbed her "quite simply the best singer in the world."