Jazz Aspen Snowmass has become one of a handful of America’s lasting and prestigious jazz festivals. So it’s appropriate that for its 20th anniversary, one of Colorado’s most distinguished jazz performers would be invited to appear.
Vocalist Dianne Reeves, a four-time Grammy recipient who grew up in Denver and still maintains a permanent residence here, is always happy to make the trek to Aspen to perform for the festival’s appreciative crowd.
“People come to hear the music (at Jazz Aspen Snowmass) and be a part of it,” she said. “And I always make sure I have a couple of days to be up there when I perform. There’s all of that fresh air.”
Reeves’ career ascension runs parallel to the growing success of the Aspen festival. It could be argued that the two are Colorado’s most recognized names on the international stage when it comes to the music.
After attending the University of Colorado, Reeves put in long years on the road supporting artists like Harry Belafonte and Sergio Mendes. But she really came into her own as an emotionally resonant performer with a stunning range in the early ’90s, with a run of discs on the Blue Note label that were and are at their most rewarding when she improvises on standards and straight- ahead vocal jazz.
Three of these releases, “In the Moment — Live in Concert,” “The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan” and “A Little Moonlight” were consecutive Grammy winners for jazz vocal performance. She picked up a fourth for her contributions to the sound- track of George Clooney’s 2005 drama, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
And Reeves has toured relentlessly. She has appearances scheduled worldwide throughout 2010, and her music is acclaimed everywhere she goes, even if many of the audience members don’t speak English.
“At festivals in Europe, they look at us as being exotic in a way,” she says. “They enjoy the spirit of the music. But everybody’s familiar when I’m home (in the U.S.) and I can tell stories on stage.”
Some interesting musical stories should unfold when she appears at Jazz Aspen Snowmass Saturday for the “JAS @ 20” show, which will feature bassist Christian McBride, who also serves as the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy artistic director. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard, saxophonist Maceo Parker and trombonist Fred Wesley are also scheduled to appear, as is Reeves’ vocal contemporary Patti Austin. Reeves said that much of what will happen should be determined soon before the performers take to the stage.
“We’ll get up there and hang out and start talking. I’ve worked pretty extensively with Patti Austin. We inspire each other.”
Reeves also will participate in a master class in Aspen, giving advice to the next generation of jazz performers. Meanwhile, she’s acting as the artistic director of the Monterey Jazz Festival in California and preparing for that lineup in September. She’s also due in the studio for Blue Note at some point this year, but she’s hesitant to discuss upcoming recording projects.
“It will be very guitar-driven, with strings attached,” she said, adding, “but that’s all I can say.”
But for this weekend, Reeves will concentrate on giving her all in Colorado at a festival that continues to flourish 20 years after founder James Horowitz decided to take a chance and help bring more high-profile performances to Aspen.
“Jim (Horowitz) does an amazing job,” Reeves says. “You have to be passionate to do this. And with everybody involved, it’s like a mutual- admiration society.”
