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)
Sky Islands
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High above the clouds below
So we can feel without fear
A future that we′ve never known
For I believe that we still
Can make it out of here alive
If we can climb the rolling hills
I met a man at sundown
He said he come from San Antone
He had a horse named Downtown
Said he was born a running blood
He said, "My friend, you shall have him"
If on his back, you can ride
Across the river, down through the valley
Up to the island in the sky"
Up to the island in the sky
I've got my worry in my pocket
I′ve got my heart out on my sleeve
You got the silver heart-shaped locket
Ain't nothing else that we could need
Break in the weather, hold onto me
Cross your fingers and don't you cry
Get it together, we can make it
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Would you walk with me
High above the clouds below
So we can feel without fear
A future that we′ve never known
For I believe that we still
Can make it out of here alive
If we can climb the rolling hills
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
The lyrics to Dianne Reeves's "Sky Islands" speak to the desire for a better future and the willingness to take risks in order to attain it. The singer asks a companion to walk with her high above the clouds, where they can escape their current circumstances and experience a new way of living without fear. She believes that they can survive and thrive if they can reach the "island in the sky" by climbing the rolling hills.
In the second verse, the singer meets a man who offers her his horse, named Downtown, to help them reach the island. She describes him as a running blood, implying that he is a free spirit and perhaps a bit of a rebel. She and her companion have little else but their worry and their hearts, but she encourages them to hold on to each other and keep moving forward. The chorus repeats the idea of climbing the hills to reach the island, affirming the singer's belief in their ability to make it to a better future.
The imagery of the song suggests a mystical or mythical quality, where the island in the sky is a symbol of hope and freedom. Reeves's voice is emotive and powerful, conveying both the longing for something better and the determination to achieve it.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you walk with me
Will you join me in this journey?
High above the clouds below
We shall reach great heights and leave behind the fears and worries of the world below.
So we can feel without fear
We will experience pure emotions without any hints of anxiety or dread.
A future that we've never known
Together we will encounter a new, uncharted future.
For I believe that we still
My faith tells me that we can still succeed.
Can make it out of here alive
We can escape this place and live to tell the story.
If we can climb the rolling hills
Our path may be challenging, but we can overcome it.
Up to the island in the sky
We will arrive at the mystical land in the clouds.
I met a man at sundown
Encountering a stranger at twilight.
He said he come from San Antone
He revealed his birthplace to be San Antonio.
He had a horse named Downtown
His horse went by the name of Downtown.
Said he was born a running blood
His lineage was made of thoroughbred runners.
He said, 'My friend, you shall have him'
He offered his horse to the singer.
If on his back, you can ride
As long as you can ride him, he's yours to keep.
Across the river, down through the valley
Traveling across the water and through the terrain's lowest point.
Up to the island in the sky
To reach the floating island in the sky, he will take you there.
I've got my worry in my pocket
Keeping my worries close to me.
I've got my heart out on my sleeve
Wearing my heart on my sleeve, expressing my emotions openly.
You got the silver heart-shaped locket
You own a silver locket in the shape of a heart.
Ain't nothing else that we could need
There is nothing else required for our journey except for each other.
Break in the weather, hold onto me
When there's a break in the weather, cling onto me.
Cross your fingers and don't you cry
Hope for the best and don't give in to sadness.
Get it together, we can make it
Collect yourself, and we will succeed together.
Up to the island in the sky
Our destination is the wondrous, aerial island.
Up to the island in the sky
Our journey's endpoint is the breath-taking island in the sky.
Up to the island in the sky
We will ascend to the magical land in the sky.
Up to the island in the sky
To the glorious floating island, we go.
Up to the island in the sky
Let's climb together to that wonderland among the clouds.
Writer(s): Larry Dunn, Dianne Reeves
Contributed by Carson V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.