LEGENDARY jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine has died aged 97.

Her career spanned decades as she became the first British singer to win a Grammy Award for jazz.

Cleo Laine performing onstage.Legendary jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine is dead at 97Cleo Laine performing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.Her music career spanned over seven decadesBlack and white photo of Cleo Laine and Ray Charles recording Porgy and Bess.Laine performed with jazz legends like Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra

It led to performances with icons like Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles.

She collaborated with her husband, musician and composer John Dankworth, beginning in the 1950s.

They later set up the Stables art centre in Buckinghamshire.

In a statement, the centre said it was “greatly saddened today by the news that one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away”.