Tributes have continued to come in for Dame Cleo Laine, who passed away last week. She was 97 years old.
During a glittering career, Cleo and her husband, the late Sir John Dankworth, took the world of music by storm.
Cleo's exceptional voice and scat ability saw her collaborate with many artists including Ray Charles, Dudley Moore, Henry Mancini and John Williams. She enjoyed a series of shows at London's Royal Albert Hall with Frank Sinatra, headlined Carnegie Hall, became a star on the stage as an actress, and even appeared on the Muppet Show!
“Devastated by Cleo Laine's death,” wrote Julian Lloyd Webber, “A wonderful artist, a beautiful person and a musician to her fingertips. I was so lucky to make music with her. Rest in peace dear Cleo.”
Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley recalled his time working with the family: “What a beautiful lady with the most incredible voice, truly sublime! I had the great honour to work with Cleo Laine and her husband Johnny Dankworth at the Stables in Wavendon, we sang Angel Eyes together. They were so kind to me. My love and condolences to the family.”
Cleo didn't just set the musical world alight internationally, she delivered music to the new city of Milton Keynes – founding The Stables and the Wavendon Allmusic Plan with her husband.
What was an old stable block in Wavendon became the foundations of a music venue that now presents 400 gigs annually, bringing stars from all genres to perform here.
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 went on to add: “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.”
Paying tribute to her grandmother, singer Emily Dankworth said: “After John, the love of her life, it was music that carried her and she kept singing to us until her final days. All the lyrics, the melodies - all still there.
When the world around her was a little blurry, music remained crystal clear. We watched her escape into it - stepping back in time onto the stage, reliving each song, note by note.
Her spirit, her magic, and her voice will never fade.”
Writing on social media, Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “Beyond her incomparable musical talent, her work founding The Stables has supported generations of creatives and fuelled the cultural ambition that makes our city what it is.
"She will be sorely missed and my thoughts are with all who knew and loved her."
