To celebrate Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth’s 80th Birthdays, Salvo Records announces the definitive Box Set to salute the King and Queen of UK Jazz, entitled ‘I Hear Music: A Celebration Of The Life And Work Of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth’.

Salvo Records, the Music Week award winning imprint of leading independent Union Square Music, today announce what is set to be the most comprehensive package honouring the careers of the legendary John Dankworth and Cleo Laine. The 4-CD Box set, ‘I Hear Music: A Celebration Of The Life And Work Of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth’ will be released on 1st October 2007.

Dankworth and Laine, who are nothing short of royalty in the realm of British jazz (and beyond), will this Autumn be celebrating their 80th birthdays (Dankworth - 20th September; Laine - October 28th). Though they have been married since 1958 and worked extensively together, they have both pursued highly successful careers in their own right. John Dankworth’s contribution to music was recognised in the 2006 New Years Honours List, in which he was made a Knight Bachelor; equally Cleo Laine is the only person ever to receive Grammy ® nominations in the jazz, popular and classical music categories. Laine was also made a Dame Commander in 1997.

Blessed with both a natural jazz instinct and an extraordinary range covering several octaves, Dame Cleo is one of the outstanding singers of our times. Her husky low notes and astonishing forays in the upper registers make her voice uniquely identifiable. She makes the most intelligent use of an eclectic span of material and her recordings are always filled with delightful surprises.

One of Britain’s major jazz (and soundtrack) composers, arrangers and musicians, Sir John has, since the late 1940s, worked at the top end of the spectrum in both the music that he has written and with whom he chose to perform. His active musical life, which also includes many appearances and recordings with his wife, shows no signs of abating. He remains a major presence on the British jazz scene. Indeed the joining of both artists in the musical and marital partnership has helped to keep them at the very top of their game.

Also set to be included on the box set are highlights from John Dankworth and Cleo Laine’s collaborations with their children, Alec (jazz bassist) and Jacqui (singer).

Cleo Laine and John Dankworth Official Website