Dianne Reeves | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Dianne Elizabeth Reeves (1956-10-23)October 23, 1956 (age 69) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | www |
| Relatives | Charles Burrell (uncle);George Duke (cousin) |
Dianne Elizabeth Reeves (born October 23, 1956) is an Americanjazz singer. Reeves has won fiveGrammy awards from a total nine nominations.[1][2]
Dianne Reeves was born inDetroit, Michigan, United States, into a musical family. Her father sang, her mother played trumpet, her uncle is bassistCharles Burrell, and her cousin wasGeorge Duke. Her father died when she was two years old, and she was raised inDenver, Colorado, by her mother, Vada Swanson, and maternal family.[3] Reeves was raisedCatholic and attended Cure D'Ars Catholic School in Denver for much of her early schooling.[4][3]
In 1971, Reeves started singing and playing piano.[5] She was a member of her high-school band and while performing at a convention inChicago was noticed by trumpeterClark Terry, who invited her to sing with him. "He had these amazing all-star bands, but I had no idea who they all were! The thing I loved about it was the way they interacted with each other – the kind of intimate exchange that I wasn't part of. For a young singer, it was fertile soil."[6] She studied classical voice at theUniversity of Colorado.[1]
Reeves moved toLos Angeles, where she sang and recorded withStanley Turrentine,Lenny White, andBilly Childs.[7] She recorded with the bandCaldera,[8] then founded the band Night Flight with Billy Childs, with whom she would collaborate again in the 1990s. She moved to New York City and from 1983 to 1986 toured withHarry Belafonte.[5]
She signed withBlue Note in 1987 and that year hereponymous album, featuringHerbie Hancock,Freddie Hubbard, andTony Williams, was nominated for aGrammy Award.[7] She went on to win five Grammy Awards.[9]
Music criticScott Yanow has said of her: "A logical successor toDinah Washington andCarmen McRae, Reeves is a superior interpreter of lyrics and a skilledscat singer."[10] Her sound has been compared to that ofPatti Austin,Vanessa Rubin,Anita Baker, andRegina Belle.[10]
Reeves performed at the closing ceremony of the2002 Winter Olympics inSalt Lake City.[7] In 2005, she appeared in the filmGood Night, and Good Luck singing 1950s standards[10] (including "How High the Moon", "I've Got My Eyes on You", "Too Close for Comfort", "Straighten Up and Fly Right" and "One for My Baby"). In 2006, the soundtrack won theGrammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.[6]
Reeves appeared in the 2021 documentary filmJazzTown.[11][better source needed]
TheGrammy Awards are awarded annually by theNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Reeves has received five awards out of nine nominations.[2]
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female | I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good (Track) | Nominated |
| 1995 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance | Quiet After The Storm (Album) | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance | "That Day... (Album)" | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Jazz Vocal Performance | Bridges (Album) | Nominated |
| 2000 | Best Jazz Vocal Album | In the Moment – Live in Concert | Won |
| 2001 | Best Jazz Vocal Album | The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan | Won |
| 2003 | Best Jazz Vocal Album | A Little Moonlight | Won |
| 2005 | Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary Or Inspirational | "Good Night, and Good Luck" | Won |
| 2014 | Best Jazz Vocal Album | "Beautiful Life" | Won |
