DAME Cleo Laine was last night praised for her “incredible” bravery after she went ahead with an important concert following the death of her husband, the jazz legend Sir John Dankworth.
The event marked the 40th anniversary of the entertainment venue the couple set up together at their Buckinghamshire home.
The 82-year-old saxophonist, whose career spanned more than half a century, died on Saturday in King Edward VII Hospital, London, after months of illness.
Jazz singer Dame Cleo broke the news to the artists before the concert began, but did not tell the 400-strong audience until just before the finale, said Monica Ferguson, chief executive of The Stables, in Wavendon.
She added: “The audience had a great sense of shock.”
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