Cleo Laine

Born: October 28, 1927

The showroom at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, sparkled brilliantly the weekend of October 17-19, 2003, with the luminary talent of the legendary British couple, Dame Cleo Laine and John Dankworth. The audience was on the edge of their seats all night with excitement and awe. The jazz composition and sounds that emanated from behind the footlights brought Friday night's audience to their feet as they hailed "The Queen of Jazz" and her professional partner and husband with thunderous applause.

The lady next to me smiled with pride, as if the legendary performers were her personal treasure. "I watched you tapping your feet all night, I'm so glad you enjoyed the performance as much as I did! I've been a fan of theirs for years, and you?" "I'm a new fan, and I feel so lucky to be here, wow, what an evening," I enthusiastically replied. The awe and wonder for the evening's incredible jazz experience overwhelmed me. I had never felt such a deep appreciation for being a member of the audience as I did that night.

Mark Winkler, Yuko Mabuchi, Bonnie J. Jensen, Lauren Henderson, Emma Hendrick, Nicholas Payton & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
August 11, 2025

This broadcast includes new releases from Mark Winkler, Yuko Mabuchi, Bonnie J. Jensen, Lauren Henderson, Emma Hendrick plus a single from Nicholas Payton's latest, with birthday shoutouts to Honorable Men Hank Jones, Tony Bennett and Kevin Mahogany plus Camille Bertault, Tara Davidson, Kat Edmonson, Antoinette Montegue, Shamie Royston, Claudia Acuna and Connie Converse, among others. Happy ...

Cleo Laine (1927-2025)

August 4, 2025

Cleo Laine, Britain's finest and most-celebrated jazz-pop singer who, with tenor saxophonist Johnny Dankworth, began recording together in 1951 but became much better known in the U.K. than in the U.S., died on July 24. She was 97. Dankworth and Laine married in 1958, and over the course of her career, she was showered with British ...

Birthday Shoutouts To Foremothers Jutta Hipp, Blanche Calloway Plus Carole King & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
February 17, 2025

This broadcast includes new releases from Nicole Zuraitis, Dave Potter and Monique Chao, with birthday shoutouts to foremothers Jutta Hipp (100!) Blanche Calloway (older sister of Cab Calloway) plus Carole King and Carmen Staaf. Happy listening and please support the station and the artists you hear. See them live, purchase their music so they can continue ...

More Fall Releases, Jazz Birthdays, A Celebration of Carla Bley & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
November 6, 2023

This broadcast includes new releases from Angelica Sanchez, Nabou Claerhout Trombone Ensemble, Ramona Horvath, the Affinity Trio (Eric Jacobson, Clay Shaub, Pamela York), with birthday shoutouts to lyricist Dory Previn, Andy Bey, Emily Braden, Dame Cleo Laine, Magos Herrera, Amanda Monaco, Beat poet Fran Landesman (Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most), Dianne Reeves and ...

Josie Falbo: You Must Believe in Spring

by Howard Mandel
February 28, 2023

The first moments of Josie Falbo's You Must Believe in Spring sweep us into a lush soundscape, through a cinematic introduction, up close and intimately to her marvelous voice. Her voice is full, rich and pure top to bottom, fluid and shapely as anything imaginable, imparting true faith into lyrics valuing a lifetime's experience, acceptance, appreciation ...

Patty Lomuscio: Star Crossed Lovers

by Paul Beard
September 21, 2022

The Italian singer Patty Lomuscio had long dreamed of making an album in New York with pianist Kenny Barron. Now she has done so. Alongside Barron is drummer Joe Farnsworth, bassist Peter Washington and Vincent Herring on alto saxophone. The title track, comes across really well. Lomuscio's talents start to shine through and then ...

Early Spring Releases from Brandee Younger, Yvonne Flores, Kristen Lee Sergeant and duo Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini

by Mary Foster Conklin
March 7, 2022

This broadcast presents new releases from vocalists Yvonne Flores, Kristen Lee Sergeant, harpist Brandee Younger plus a single from duo Natalie Cressman]] & {{Ian Faquini (offering a prayer to Oxum, goddess of rivers, waterfalls and fresh water) with birthday shoutouts to Ida Cox, Mayu Saeki, Melissa Manchester, Sara Caswell, Carmen Sandim, Roseanna Vitro and Claire Daly, ...

Jarrod Lawson Heads For Europe

by Peter Jones
October 14, 2021

Timing is everything in music, but launching an album in the midst of a global pandemic was not ideal for singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Jarrod Lawson. As he prepares to embark on a European tour, he will finally get the chance to feature the music from his second album Be the Change in front of live ...

New Releases and Celebrations for Blossom Dearie, Ma Rainey and More

by Mary Foster Conklin
May 10, 2021

This broadcast features new releases from the Steven Feifke Big Band, the Alpha Rhythm Kings, Nicki Parrott, Esperanza Spalding, Chien Chien Lu, Norah Jones and the Art of Time Ensemble with birthday shoutouts to Mother of the Blues Ma Rainey, Blossom Dearie, Shirley Horn, Connie Crothers, and Mary Ann McSweeney, among others. Thanks for listening and ...