Photo courtesy of Jerris Madison.
Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves is a world-renowned jazz singer with five Grammy wins.
The Hoover Library Theatre on Jan. 17 welcomes five-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves to the stage.
Reeves is considered quite a big catch for the 250-seat Library Theatre and already has sold out both of her scheduled performances, said Matina Johnson, fine arts director for the library.
“She is definitely one of the biggest acts we’ve ever had,” Johnson said. “We are so fortunate to be able to have her here in this size space … She’s used to performing in halls many, many, many times bigger than this.”
Reeves has recorded and performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has recorded with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim. She also was a featured soloist with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic, was the first creative chair for jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and was the first singer to ever perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Reeves also has performed at the White House on multiple occasions, including President Obama’s state dinner for the president of China and the Governors’ Ball. In January 2015, she joined Paul Simon, James Taylor and Bobby McFerrin in a tribute to Michael Brecker at the Lincoln Center.
Reeves’ first three Grammy wins — for best jazz vocal performance — were for three consecutive recordings, a first in any Grammy vocal category. Then, she won her fourth Grammy for her vocals on every song on the soundtrack for George Clooney’s movie “Good Night, and Good Luck,” a movie in which she also appeared.
Her fifth Grammy — for best jazz vocal album — came in 2015 for “Beautiful Life,” her first album in five years.
That album melds elements of rhythm and blues, Latin and pop within the framework of 21st century jazz. It includes covers of Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” and Ani Difranco’s “32 Flavors,” as well as two new songs — “Cold” and “Satiated.”
The Library Theatre is blessed to have someone so prolific and so current, Johnson said.
“She’s put out over 15 albums. She just churns the albums out,” Johnson said.
The Library Theatre for several years has featured a jazz artist in January (last year was Molly Ringwold). “It’s just such a warm feeling in the cold weather,” Johnson said.
Reeves was booked about a year ago and will bring a four-piece band with her, including a pianist, bassist, drummer and guitarist, Johnson said. Her shows are scheduled for 4 and 7:30 p.m.
They are Sunday performances, which are unusual for the Library Theatre, but a lot of people are off work the following day for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Johnson said.
Even though both of Reeves’ shows are sold out, people can call the Library Theatre box office to get on a waiting list in case any tickets are returned. As of mid-December, there were nine people on the waiting list, requesting 20 tickets.
DIANNE REEVES IN CONCERT
- Where: Hoover Library Theatre
- When: Jan. 17, 4 and 7:30 p.m.
- Tickets: $25, plus $2.50 processing fee per ticket (sold out, but waiting list available)
- Box office: 444-7888
