Dianne came from a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke is a well known piano and keyboard player and producer.
Dianne and her sister Sharon were raised by their grandmother in Denver, Colorado. As a child Dianne took piano lessons and sang at every opportunity. When she was 11 years old her interest in music was enhanced by an inspiring teacher who thought that music was the best way to bring students together. Dianne discovered a love of music and that she wanted to be a singer.
Her uncle, Charles Burell, a bass player with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, introduced her to the music of jazz singers, from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday. She was especially impressed by Sarah Vaughan.
1974
At the age of sixteen she was singing at the George Washington Highschool in Denver, in a highschool bigband. That same year the band played at a music festival (Convention of the National Association of Jazz Educators). Her Band won first place and it was there she met the trumpeter Clark Terry, who after discovering her became her mentor.
1975
A year later she began studying music at the University of Denver, before she moving in 1976 to Los Angeles. In L.A. her interest in Latin-American music grew, and she began experimenting with different kinds of vocal music and finally decided to pursue a career as a singer. She met Eduardo del Barrio, and she toured with his group "Caldera" and sang in Billy Child's jazz band "Night Flights". Later she tour with Sergio Mendes.
From 1983 until 1986 she toured with Harry Belafonte as a lead singer. This period saw her first experiences with world music. In 1987 she became the first vocalist to sign with Blue Note records. She moved back to Denver from Los Angeles in 1992. She sang at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
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Grammy Awards
She has currently won 3 Grammy Awards for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" for her albums
2001 In the Moment
2002 The Calling
2003 A Little Moonlight
2006 Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
She is the only singer to have won this Grammy in three consecutive years.
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Discography
1977 - Welcome to My Love
1987 - Better Days
1988 - I Remember
1990 - Never Too Far
1991 - Dianne Reeves (same as Better Days)
1993 - Art & Survival
1994 - Quiet After the Storm
1996 - The Grand Encounter
1996 - Palo Alto Sessions
1997 - That Day
1997 - New Morning (live)
1999 - Bridges... produced by George Duke.
2000 - In The Moment (live)
2001 - The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
2002 - Best of Dianne Reeves
2003 - A Little Moonlight
2004 - Christmas Time is Here
2005 - Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
Detour Ahead
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But why am I the only one
Trav'ling this way?
How strange the road to love should be so easy
Can there be a detour ahead?
Wake up, slow down
Before you crash and break your heart
You're headed in the wrong direction
Can't you see the detour ahead?
The farther you travel
The harder to unravel the web he spins around you
Turn back while there's time
Can't you see the danger sign?
Soft shoulders surround you
Smooth road, clear night
Oh lucky me, that suddenly I saw the light
I'm turning back away from all this trouble
Smooth road, smooth road, no detour ahead
The lyrics of the song Detour Ahead by Dianne Reeves describe the journey of a person, who is traveling on a smooth and clear road all alone. The person feels strange that the road to love should be so easy yet they are traveling alone. The lyrics seem to indicate that the person is on a journey to find love but feels lost and uncertain. The person then wakes up and slows down, realizing that they might be heading in the wrong direction- becoming a gullible clown who is about to crash and break their heart. The person recognizes the danger of continuing on this path and fears that there may be a detour ahead that could lead them astray.
As the person travels farther, the danger seems to grow as they become entangled in a web of deceit. The lyrics advise the person to turn back before it's too late, as there are danger signs all around. The shoulders seem soft, but they are actually surrounding and trapping the person. The song seems to serve as a warning to anyone who is in search of love but is unaware of the risks and pitfalls that can come their way.
In the end, the person is lucky to have seen the light and has realized that there is no detour ahead. They have managed to find a smooth road and are leaving behind all the trouble that they have encountered on their journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Smooth road, clear day
The journey of love looks bright and hopeful at the outset.
But why am I the only one
Why are there no other travelers on this path of love?
Trav'ling this way?
Why am I alone on this journey towards love?
How strange the road to love should be so easy
The path of love is often unanticipated and unconventional.
Can there be a detour ahead?
Can obstacles that could change the course of the journey arise on this otherwise smooth pathway?
Wake up, slow down
Be mindful and careful avoiding any misadventures moving forward.
Before you crash and break your heart
Guard against heartbreak by being considerate and cautious in demeanor.
Gullible clown, you fool
Do not be naïve or simple–minded in love.
You're headed in the wrong direction
You may be treading a disastrous route in love.
Can't you see the detour ahead?
Do not fail to recognize and address any potential obstacles that are looming on the horizon.
The farther you travel
The more you get involved in love, the harder it becomes to extract yourself from it.
The harder to unravel the web he spins around you
Once you are enwrapped in the intrigues of love, it is difficult to extricate yourself.
Turn back while there's time
While you are still at liberty to do so, consider abandoning the course of love to avoid potential heartbreak.
Can't you see the danger sign?
Do not pretend that warning signs aren't present or that they are insignificant.
Soft shoulders surround you
Looking for solace and support in others?
Smooth road, clear night
The journey towards love is clear, and the night is peaceful when you realize the potential risks and take preventive measures.
Oh lucky me, that suddenly I saw the light
How lucky and grateful one feels when the prospects of danger are realized, and they escape successfully.
I'm turning back away from all this trouble
In the face of any hazardous situation, one needs to turn around and continue their life in the opposite direction.
Smooth road, smooth road, no detour ahead
The road to love has no roadblocks or detours for those who are careful, mindful, and proactive in avoiding potential danger signs.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HERB ELLIS, JOHN FRIGO, LOU CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind