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)
River
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
Putting up reindeer
Singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river, I could skate away on
But it don't snow here, it stays pretty green
I'm gonna make a lot of money
Then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river, I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long, I'd teach my feet to fly
Wish I had a river, I could skate away on
I made my baby cry, he tried hard to please me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
I need a river, I could skate away on
You see I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've lost the best baby that I, that I ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river, I could skate away on
Wish I had a river so long, I'd teach my feet to fly
Oh, oh oh wish I had a river, I could skate away on
My baby said goodbye
[Incomprehensible]
Oh oh
[Incomprehensible]
It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
Putting up reindeer
Singing songs of joy and peace
I need a river, I could skate away on
Oh
Oh oh
Oh oh oh
The song "River" by Diane Reeves is a melancholic ballad reflecting on the Christmas season and the close of another year. The opening line, “It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees, putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace” sets the tone for a sentimental reflection on the holiday season. The singer is stuck in a place where there is no snow and is missing the opportunity to do something as simple as skating on a river during winter. She longs for a way to escape her current life and the stresses that she experiences, singing, “I'm gonna make a lot of money, then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene.”
Line by Line Meaning
It's coming on Christmas
The Christmas season is approaching
They're cutting down trees
People are cutting down trees to be used as Christmas trees
Putting up reindeer
Decorating with reindeer decorations
Singing songs of joy and peace
People are singing Christmas songs to express their joy and seek peace
Oh I wish I had a river, I could skate away on
The artist is feeling overwhelmed and wishes for an escape or a change of scene
But it don't snow here, it stays pretty green
The singer is acknowledging the reality of their situation - it doesn't snow where they are
I'm gonna make a lot of money
The singer has plans to become wealthy
Then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene
The artist dislikes their current situation and wants to leave
I wish I had a river so long, I'd teach my feet to fly
The artist is extending the metaphor of the river as an escape and a source of freedom
I made my baby cry, he tried hard to please me
The artist is reflecting on a specific relationship that has ended badly
You know, he put me at ease
Despite the negative outcome, the singer recognizes that the relationship had positive aspects too
And he loved me so naughty
The artist recalls being loved passionately and playfully
Made me weak in the knees
The singer felt deeply affected and perhaps overwhelmed by their partner's love
You see I'm so hard to handle
The singer acknowledges their own flaws and acknowledges that they may have contributed to the end of the relationship
I'm selfish and I'm sad
The singer's self-reflections lead them to describe themselves as selfish and unhappy
Now I've lost the best baby that I, that I ever had
The relationship has ended and the artist is mourning their loss
My baby said goodbye
The artist confirms that the relationship has ended
It's coming on Christmas
The song ends with a repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the seasonal context
I need a river, I could skate away on
The singer is returning to their wish for an escape and a fresh start
[Incomprehensible]
This line cannot be understood
Oh oh
Vocalization without a clear meaning
[Incomprehensible]
This line cannot be understood
Oh oh oh
Vocalization without a clear meaning
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind