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.
[edit]
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.
[edit]
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)
Tenderly
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The trembling trees embraced the breeze tenderly
Then you and I came wandering by
And lost in a sigh were we
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
I can't forget how two hearts met breathlessly
Your arms opened wide and closed me inside
You took my love so tenderly
The shore was kissed (the shore was kissed)
By sea and mist (by sea and mist)
Tenderly (tenderly)
Oh I can't forget (I can't forget)
How two hearts met (how two hearts met)
Breathlessly (breathlessly)
Your arms opened wide and closed me inside
You took my lips
You took my love so tenderly
In “Tenderly” by Dianne Reeves, the opening line describes a peaceful scene where the evening breeze gently touches the trees. The imagery of the trembling trees embraced by the gentle breeze is a metaphor to convey the tenderness felt between two people. Then the song moves to describe how the two lovers met and how they were lost in a sigh after seeing each other. It then describes how they embraced and how the shore was kissed by the sea and mist as they shared their love.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the love between the two is pure and filled with affection. In the final lines of the chorus, the singer declares the way their partner took their lips and love was done so tenderly. This song is a beautiful portrayal of a love that is warm, gentle, and real.
This song has been covered by many famous artists including Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Frank Sinatra. Reeves' version has been described as one of the most soulful renditions of the classic love song.
Line by Line Meaning
The evening breeze caressed the trees tenderly
The gentle wind was gently touching and holding the trees.
The trembling trees embraced the breeze tenderly
The trees were softly trembling while hugging back the breeze.
Then you and I came wandering by
The song's lead character tells us that he met someone while wandering.
And lost in a sigh were we
Both the lead character and his partner were simultaneously experiencing deep emotions.
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
The shore was delicately touched and caressed by the sea and mist.
I can't forget how two hearts met breathlessly
The main character recalls the moment when he and his partner met amazed and breathless.
Your arms opened wide and closed me inside
The person singing was held tightly in their partner's embrace.
You took my lips
Their partner kissed them.
You took my love so tenderly
Their partner received their love and adoration very lovingly.
Tenderly (tenderly)
The word 'tenderly' is repeated over and over again, as a reminder of the gentle and soft romantic mood.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jack Lawrence, Walter Gross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind