Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth Return To The Rrazz Room 9/22-10/4

British jazz singer and actress Dame Cleo Laine and conductor, composer and sax player Sir John Dankworth, return to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF, from September 22- October 4. Tickets are $50-$65 and can be purchased at www.therrazzroom.com or directly through www.ticketweb.com or 866 468 3399. Both performers were ‘knighted' for their services to music.

Cleo Laine is the only singer ever to receive Grammy nominations in the Female Jazz, Popular, and Classical categories. Born in a London suburb, Cleo showed early singing talent, nurtured by her Jamaican father and English mother. In her 20's, she auditioned for a band led by musician John Dankworth, under whose banner she performed until 1958, when the two were married. She appeared in plays and musicals in London and on Broadway and originated the role of Princess Puffer in the Broadway hit musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," for which she received a Tony nomination. She also recorded many hit albums. Cleo Laine's continued activity in jazz performance guarantees her role as "the first lady of jazz."

Sir John Dankworth's name is synonymous with the crossing of musical barriers. Born in 1927, John Dankworth showed early proficiency on the clarinet and by the age of 17 had entered London's Royal Academy of Music. He was impressed by the work of the great Charlie Parker, and took up the saxophone as a result.

In 1959 Dankworth's large jazz orchestra played several engagements in the United States, the first of countless such visits. At this time John began devoting his musical attentions to the film world, composing dozens of movie scores, including "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning", "The Servant", "Morgan", and "Modesty Blaise." John Dankworth continues to travel the world and continuing his search for musical perfection.
John and Cleo live in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, where they founded the charity, The Wavendon Allmusic Plan, with the aim of helping people broaden their views about music through performance and musical education. .

Nightlife/Cabaret listings:

WHO: Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept 22-Oct 4, 8 PM, Sundays at 7 PM
WHERE: The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 220 Mason St., SF
TICKETS: $50-$65
PHONE: 866-468-3399 or www.therrazzroom.com

 

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