The theater fills with an energetic sound that resonates throughout the building. As the lights slowly dim, a symphony of rhythm and harmony emanates from the stage. The audience captivated by the unique blend of pop, R&B, and jazz that begins to filter through the audience.
"Dianne Reeves: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan," one of the highlights of the fall season at the Hopkins Center, was a blend of upbeat jazz music with a touch of nearly everything else. Accompanied by Otmaro Ruiz (piano), Munyungo Jackson (percussion), Reginald Veal (bass), and Rocky Bryant (drums), Dianne Reeves sang a repertoire of songs that spanned not only her career, but the evolution of her unique jazz style as well.
The concert began with a rather loud rendition of some of her more "eclectic" pieces. The four-member band played a wide range of harmonies, everything from slow, romantic melodies, to loud and rhythmic beats and percussions. Her performance was filled with an unparalleled sense of inspiration and devotion. As she sang each note, it was clear that she was indeed becoming her music.
Reeves sang a number of her favorite Sarah Vaughan songs. Among the highlights of the performance was a rendition of Gershwin's "Fascinating Rhythm," a traditional song that was enhanced with her own R&B flair. Other favorites included "Lullaby of Birdland" and "Speak Softly."
Ever since Reeves was a young child, she had been exposed to the harsh side of life. Her family experienced numerous obstacles during her upbringing, including the loss of her father and the pressure on her mother to raise a child on her own. She was also among one of the first groups of African American children to be bussed to an all-white school district in the late '60s. The unwarranted conditions that she witnessed made her strive to make a change for herself and her family. "It dawned on me that this was truly ignorance -- ignorance is not wanting to understand one another," Reeves said in a press statement.
Walking in the footsteps of her parents, both of whom had been musicians, Dianne turned to music as a relief from the everyday. She found a sense of security in the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington among others. While she looked to many of the great performers of her day for inspiration, it was within the spirit of Sarah Vaughan that she found a place for herself. Reeves recounts that, "In the very beginning of my vocal development, I viewed her as my vocal guide and inspiration."
She was captivated by Vaughan's ability to produce a voice that carried both "color and range." She admired Vaughan because of her ability to combine different genres of music and rhythm into a harmonious blend of sound.
After practicing with her high school band at the National Association of Jazz Educators convention in Chicago, she continued to work with a number of talented mentors, including her first major influence, the great trumpeter Clark Terry. Within a few years she moved to Los Angeles, where she realized that the market for jazz musicians was at a record low. She began to experiment with a number of Latino, Mexican, and local bands, where she realized that by combining different sounds and harmonies she could create her own distinct style of song.
Over the next 30 years, Dianne Reeves continued to combine various musical styles into her own. After three Grammy nominations and eleven albums, she won the 2001 Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy for "In the Moment-Live in Concert." The album, a tribute to her mentor,Vaughan, has received much praise since its release.
Still cherishing her belief in musical diversity, Reeves continues to travel around the world and go on tour. "It's the only way you can get close to your audience," she said. In the face of challenge and controversy, she remains true to herself and her music.
"I really try to let the critics know: Look, you have to allow me the opportunity to grow whether you like it or not. It's part of who I am," she admitted. It doesn't mean that I'm abandoning jazz. I've just found different ways to say what I really feel."
