Denver’s Dianne Reeves has collected four Grammys for her recorded vocal prowess”the only singer to win the vocal category for three consecutive recordings in any singing category,” according to her press bio. She also picked up a statuette for her high-profile reimagining of standards in George Clooney’s idealistic 2005 film, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
“When You Know” (Blue Note), released last week, is a velvety set that should put a fifth Grammy in her hands.
To say that Reeves is this century’s Sarah Vaughan is a simple and, frankly, lazy way of saying that she’s an elegant performer who comes from a great tradition of American balladry. Reeves probably isn’t a better singer than Vaughan, whose pipes graced charts both inspired and schlocky over the course of a masterful career. But Reeves is capable of touching on Vaughan’s refined way with any song she chooses — and she picks perhaps her widest array of material to date on “When You Know.”
We already know that she can enliven an ancient song like “Midnight Sun” — she’s been doing that sort of thing convincingly for years. The real treats here are the pop covers you can imagine her singing along with on Denver AM radio as a teenager in the early ’70s: The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination,” Minnie Ripperton’s multi-octave challenge “Lovin’ You,” and “The Windmills of Your Mind,” which I thought I never needed to hear again.
Reeves personalizes the worn-out lyrics and inhabits the song, pressing the tempo with subtle swing and polish. I wonder what she’d do with “MacArthur Park”? The ghost of Richard Harris can rest easy, at least for now.
What else sets “When You Know” apart from the seemingly infinite glut of vocal jazz recordings? The guitars of Romero Lubambo and Russell Malone supply layers of considerate interaction with Reeves that serve as a departure from the tired vocalist- plus-piano-trio format. And here’s some good news for Colorado followers: Both guitarists are committed to perform with her at Jazz Aspen Snowmass in June. Malone has been a longtime favorite accompanist and soloist, appearing in the same context with Diana Krall but sounding considerably more alive here.
Producer George Duke, a frequent Reeves collaborator, as well as her cousin, demonstrates caring restraint in putting together the disc. Avoiding orchestral overkill and slickness, Duke wisely lets her emote in a straightforward, powerful style that gives the disc an organic, hanging-out- in-the-studio feel, children’s chorus on the title track notwithstanding.
“When You Know” concludes on an upbeat, blues- charged note. “Today Will Be a Good Day” is a Reeves original, dedicated to the positive wisdom of her mother. It’s a nod to juke-joint playfulness, and it may point to things to come the next time around.
I can think of some other local vocalists deserving of a Blue Note budget for their own projects — Rene Marie especially comes to mind. But for the time being, this is an appropriate showcase for one of the world’s most proficient jazz singers, who sells out halls in Europe but remains our underrated neighbor at home.
Greeley jazz fest.
Thou- sands of music students will make their way to Greeley for the annual UNC/Greeley Jazz festival from Thursday through Saturday, and they’ve booked some top-tier names you’ll want to check out: Pianist Ahmad Jamal, trombonist Slide Hampton and vibraphonist Stefon Harris will perform at the Union Colony Civic Center. You can get tickets at 970-356-5000 . . . Laid-back saxophonist Steve Cole appears at Jazz@Jack‘s on Friday . . . Longmont’s guitar guru, Dale Bruning, headlines at Dazzle on Saturday, and versatile singer Karrin Allyson appears at the Soiled Dove Underground that same night . . . Here’s a supergroup reunion alert: Return to Forever, with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White and Al DiMeola, is performing again and will stop at the Paramount Theatre on June 3.
Bret Saunders’ column on jazz appears every other Sunday in A&E. Saunders is host of the “KBCO Morning Show,” 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays at 97.3-FM. His e-mail address is bret_ saunders@hotmail.com.
