Cleo Laine, whose husky contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz and who was regarded by many as Britain’s greatest contribution to the quintessentially American music, has died.

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.

Cleo Laine, considered by many to be the U.K.’s preeminent jazz singer, and an accomplished theater actress in her home country as well as on Broadway, died Thursday at age 97. The death was announced by leading figures in the Stables,