Background
She is the daughter of the jazz musician, arranger and composer Sir John Dankworth and the singer Dame Cleo Laine. Dankworth was born in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England.
She is the daughter of the jazz musician, arranger and composer Sir John Dankworth and the singer Dame Cleo Laine. Dankworth was born in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Before taking to the stage as a singer Jacqui Dankworth worked as an actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre and John Dexter"s Company playing a multitude of critically acclaimed roles. The plays soon turned into musicals and before long Dankworth was playing in the West End, even originating the role of Cinderella in the London premiere of Stephen Sondheim"s Into the Woods. This in turn led her to her own recording career.
In 2003, Dankworth released her first album, As The Sun Shines Down On Maine on Candid Records.
This album brought her to the attention of Michael Parkinson and British Broadcasting Corporation Radio 2, and she appeared regularly on air throughout that year. More guest appearances followed, Dankworth featured on Courtney Pine’s album Devotion, which was released on 6 October 2003.
Tied in with the release, Dankworth performed alongside Pine at the Royal Festival Hall, as part of the London Jazz Festival. This new found attention brought her a guest appearance in the film, Shoreditch, starring Joely Richardson and Shane Ritchie.
Dankworth appeared in the opening shot singing the Billie Holiday number, "My Manitoba", and later sang "Body and Soul" as a featured track.
Dankworth followed the success of As The Sun Shines Down On Maine with the 2004 release, Detour Ahead. Her third album, Back To You was released in 2009. Personal life
Dankworth attended Saint Christopher School in Hertfordshire and is an alumna and fellow of Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Dankworth is married to Charlie Wood, a blues keyboardist and vocalist from Memphis, Tennessee.