Stage actress, vocalist and arranger, Jacqui Dankworth is the daughter of the legendary jazz musician and composer Sir
John Dankworth and international singing star Dame
Cleo Laine. Sister of
Alec Dankworth.
For many years Jacqui worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and John Dexter's Company playing a multitude of critically acclaimed roles. Soon the plays turned into musicals and before long Jacqui was playing leading parts in the West End.
As a side project, Jacqui formed the three-part harmony group The Passion, with two other great singers
Liane Carroll and
Sara Colman.
In 2003 Jacqui released her first major crossover album “As The Sun Shines Down On Me” and performed with
Courtney Pine at the London Jazz Festival. The following year she released “Detour Ahead”.
She had a guest appearance in the 2003 film
Shoreditch, the opening shot features her singing the classic Billie Holiday number My Man and later sings Body and Soul as a featured track.
Jacqui continues recording and touring around the world and has been known to appear at special concerts with her parents.
She is married to
Charlie Wood, a blues keyboardist and vocalist from Memphis, Tennessee.