Dianne Reeves, 29th Annual Trustee Benefit March 15, 2009

DIANNE REEVES, one of the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world today, was awarded the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for each of her last three recordings - a Grammy first in any vocal category.Reeves' singing draws upon a world of influences; she is tied to a powerful storytelling instinct and her virtuosity and improvisational gifts are breathtaking. In 1987, Reeves was the first vocalist signed to the reactivated Blue Note/EMI label. As a result of her unique R&B and jazz stylings, Reeves has since captured a huge following and tremendous acclaim throughout the world.Reeves has performed with Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and was the featured soloist with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic. She has also recorded and performed extensively with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Additionally, Reeves was the first Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In this role Reeves oversaw the scheduling of jazz programming and educational workshops at both the Hollywood Bowl and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. An Ella Fitzgerald Award recipient, Reeves performed at the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, was the featured performer at UNICEF's Annual Gala in New York City (2004), and appeared and sang on a season-ending episode of Sex and the City. Reeves worked with legendary producer Arif Mardin (Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin) on her Grammy-winning album, A Little Moonlight, an intimate and highly praised collection of ten standards featuring her touring trio (pianist Peter Martin, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Greg Hutchinson).In late 2004, Dianne's first holiday recording, Christmas Time is Here, was released to outstanding reviews. Said Ben Ratliff of The New York Times "Ms. Reeves, a jazz singer of frequently astonishing skill, takes the assignment seriously; this is one of the best jazz Christmas CD's I've heard."Reeves received her fourth Best Jazz Vocal Grammy for the soundtrack of George Clooney's Academy Award-nominated 2006 film, "Good Night and Good Luck," in which she also appeared.

Official Website: http://www.dom.edu/pac