Dianne Reeves’ career is enchanting, as are her legendary and generous collaborations with Wynton Marsalis, Robert Glasper, Chucho Valdes, etc. She is a multi-award winner, receiving, among others, five Grammy Awards and the prestigious NEA’s Jazz Master.
This Woman Jazz King has played, juggled and tamed jazz, sometimes allowing herself recorded artistic liberties (lucky for us!). In her album, Beautiful Day, she will cover “extra jazz” standards such as Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac and Marvin Gaye, of whom she is full of praise.
“I always loved Marvin Gaye. Not just because he was a great singer, but because his music was soul steeped in jazz.”
Her reputation as a stage performer is not a legend. Why? Because the stage is his ring and his swing and other vocal uppercuts go well with his musicians, who are always carefully chosen.
To understand, take a look at his live performance at the New Morning in 1997. Her “Four Leather Balls” delivered the best jazz of the moment with Chris Severin on bass, Herlin Riley on drums and David Torkanowsky on piano and of course Dianne on vocals. Memories, memories!
It is always complicated, even delicate, to summarize in a few sentences her career so prolific and artistically rich. But one thing is certain, the Theater Silvain on the evening of July 20 will sparkle with a thousand and one lights, and the electricity that evening will be the voice of Dianne Reeves.
Photo credit © DR
Dianne Reeves : voice
John Beasley : piano
Reuben Rogers : bass
Terreon Gully : drum
Romero Lubambo : guitar
