British Jazz singer Cleo Laine dies aged 97

Acclaimed Jazz singer Cleo Laine has died at the age of 97. Renowned for her vocal range and scat singing style.

"It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Cleo, who died peacefully yesterday afternoon," said a statement from her children issued to The Guardian.

"We will all miss her terribly. The family wish to be given space to grieve and ask for privacy at this very difficult time."

Laine was born in Uxbridge, West London, in 1927 to a Jamaican father and English mother. The singer was originally named Clementina Dinah Campbell, though it's her mother's maiden name that appears on her birth certificate.

The Jazz artist changed her name to Cleo Laine at the beginning of her career, as her birth name was too long to fit on a poster.

Laine had a long and outstanding solo career. She was the first British singer to win Best Jazz Vocal Performance and also received Grammy nominations in Pop and Classical.

In 1967, the singer released an album with her husband, Dankworth, entitled Shakespeare and All That Jazz, which received critical acclaim.

In 1969, Laine and Dankworth went on to open The Stables Theatre to engage more people in music and encourage diversity. The theatre sits on the land of the couples home and has welcomed many artists from a wide range of backgrounds and genres.

Laine's four octave vocal range and versatility stood the test of time and cemented her as one of the most successful British Jazz singers.

Laine is survived by her children Jaqui and Alec.