In his opening remarks for this edition of Billy Taylor's Jazz at the Kennedy Center , Dr. Taylor fondly recalls an early encounter with his guest, vocalist Dianne Reeves. During one of his numerous educational residencies, Dr. Taylor had an opportunity to judge a high school jazz competition and was awestruck by the maturity of a very young Dianne Reeves. This anecdote was his way of forewarning the audience that they were in for an extraordinary treat.
Reeves is blessed with a big voice packed with nuance, and a very regal stage presence.
Though born in Detroit, Reeves was raised primarily in Denver, Colorado. She describes her earliest influences as an uncle who played bass in the Denver Symphony, and an aunt who sang the blues at family gatherings. Sarah Vaughan was her earliest and most abiding vocal influence, an artist she often mimicked on record as a youngster. Reeves fondly recalls her first live encounter with Vaughan . A 16 year-old, Reeves opened a concert for Vaughan.