Cleo Laine, whose husky contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz and who was regarded by many as Britain’s greatest contribution to the quintessentially American music, has died.

On Friday, Cleo Laine's death was confirmed by the Stables, a British arts center that she founded with her late husband, John Dankworth. She was 97.

Popular English actress and jazz singer Cleo Laine, born Clementine Dinah Hitching, has passed away at the age of 97.