Cleo Laine (vcl); Jacqui Dankworth (vcl); Andy Panayi (sax.clt); Mark Nightingale (tmb); John Horler (pno); Alec Dankworth (bs); Jim Hart (dms); Malcolm Edmonston (pno for Ms Dankworth)
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety... The line from Antony and Cleopatra was never more applicable than tonight when applied to a modern day Cleopatra - Cleo Laine.
83 years young it was perhaps appropriate that the First Lady of British Jazz should kick off with a number from her legendary album - Shakespeare and All That Jazz - If Music Be The Food of Love. It certainly was the food of love tonight. The Grand Dame was in good voice as she ran through a selection of standards that told us that the years have a long way to go to catch up with the voice. And when those years do catch up the family have nothing to worry about because daughter Jacqui is already carrying the baton - should mama ever falter - and they'll always have a good rhythm section with son Alec Dankworth around.
With Mark Nightingale on trombone, Andy Panayi on reeds, John Horler on piano and Jim Hart drums it was a tight knit ensemble that provided the perfect support.
Too many highlights to name but Mother and daughter duetting on I Thought About You, Cleo, looking resplendent in a gold lamé top over a red gown, paying tribute to Ellington with Just A Sittin' and a Rockin' - one of several songs by Duke - and Jacqui's Almost Like Being In Love were high on the list of goodies as was Alec's bass feature Jack The Bear.
It was a night that saw sceptics converted as they joined in the standing ovation awarded to Cleo at the end.
Lance.
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