Dianne Reeves | |
Number of songs: 3 | Total weeks on charts: 48
Appearing in a total number of: 3 charts | Total period running: 322 days
Appearing in a total number of: 3 charts | Total period running: 322 days
Songs by Dianne Reeves
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Biography
Dianne Reeves (born October 23, 1956) is an American jazz singer who has been one of the leading exponents of the genre since the 1980s.
According to commentator Scott Yanow: "A logical successor to Dinah Washington and Carmen McRae (although even she cannot reach the impossible heights of Ella and Sarah Vaughan), Reeves is a superior interpreter of lyrics and a skilled scat singer."
Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke, was a well-known piano and keyboard player and record producer. Dianne and her sister Sharon were raised by their mother in Denver, Colorado. As a child, Dianne took piano lessons and sang at every opportunity. When she was eleven years old, her interest in music was enhanced by an inspiring teacher who thought that music was the best way to bring students together. Dianne discovered a love of music and that she wanted to be a singer.
Her uncle, Charles Burrell, a bass player with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, introduced her to the music of jazz singers, from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday. She was especially impressed by Sarah Vaughan.
At the age of 16, Reeves was singing in her high school big-band at the George Washington High School in Denver. That same year, the band played at a music festival (Convention of the National Association of Jazz Educators). Her band won first place, and it was there she met the trumpeter Clark Terry, who became her mentor.
A year later, Reeves began studying music at the University of Colorado before she moved in 1976 to Los Angeles. While there, her interest in Latin American music grew. She began experimenting with different kinds of vocal music, and finally decided to pursue a career as a singer. She met Eduardo del Barrio, toured with his group Caldera, and sang in Billy Childs' jazz band, Night Flight. Later, she toured with Sérgio Mendes.
From 1983 until 1986, Reeves toured with Harry Belafonte as a lead singer. This period saw her first experiences with world music. In 1987, Reeves was the first vocalist signed to the re-activated Blue Note/EMI label.
In 1992, Reeves moved from Los Angeles back to Denver, where she still lives. She sang at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
Reeves' musical director and arranger, Peter Martin, regularly tours with her.
She has to date won four Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for her albums:
2001: In the Moment - Live In Concert
2002: The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
2004: A Little Moonlight
2006: Good Night, and Good Luck (Soundtrack)
She is the only singer to have won this Grammy three consecutive albums.
Discography:
1982: Welcome to My Love
1984: For Every Heart
1986: Jazzvisions: Echoes of Ellington
1987: Dianne Reeves
1990: Never Too Far
1991: I Remember
1993: Art & Survival
1994: Quiet After the Storm
1996: The Grand Encounter
1996: Palo Alto Sessions
1997: That Day...
1997: New Morning (live)
1999: Bridges
2000: In the Moment – Live in Concert
2001: The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
2003: A Little Moonlight
2004: Christmas Time Is Here
2005: Good Night, and Good Luck (Soundtrack)
2008: When You Know
2013: Beautiful Life
Sources: Wikipedia, Top40-Charts.com Editorial team
Dianne Reeves in the news
