Classy jazz queen who wowed Ella

FROM the pubs and dance halls of postwar Britain to becoming an internationally renowned jazz singer, Cleo Laine was a true one-off.

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One of only a handful of original, jazz-inspired vocalists, her instantly recognisable, agile contralto range spanned many musical genres.

Together with her husband, composer and saxophonist Johnny Dankworth, they put British jazz on the world map.

In fact, Laine was the only female singer to receive Grammy nominations in the jazz, popular and classical categories. When she became the first British artist to win a Grammy as best female jazz vocalist in 1985, Ella Fitzgerald sent her two dozen roses and a card inscribed: "Congratulations, gal - it's about time!"