I don’t consider myself a jazz singer… I’m a singer of songs,” said the vocal star, who won a Grammy in the Best Female Jazz Vocal Performance category.

A Briton with a smoky voice, she recorded albums across six decades, toured the world and acted in “Edwin Drood.”

Dame Cleo Laine has died at age 97. Her death was announced by The Stables, the music venue that she and her husband, Sir John Dankworth, founded. Critic Bob Mondello — a longtime fan — offers an appreciation.