Dianne Reeves, born 23 October 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, is an American ja… Read Full Bio ↴Dianne Reeves, born 23 October 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, is an American jazz singer, known more for her live performances than her albums. Alongside her peers Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall and Cassandra Wilson she is considered one of the most important female jazz singers of our time. She lives in Denver (Colorado/USA)

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)

This Time of the Year
Dianne Reeves Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Little girls and little boys
Dream of worlds full of toys
This time of the year
When Christmas is near

Evergreens are snowy white
Sleigh bells ring through the night
This time of the year

When Christmas is near

And somewhere near a steeple
People kneel and pray
And choirs sing carols of Christmas day
Santa Claus is on his way

Loads of joy on his sleigh
This time of the year
When Christmas is near

And somewhere near a steeple
People kneel and pray
And choirs sing carols on Christmas day
Oh Santa Claus is on his way

Loads of joy on his sleigh
This time of the year
When Christmas is near, ooh

This time of the year
When Christmas is near

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dianne Reeves's song This Time of the Year are a celebration of Christmas and the joy it brings to children and adults alike. The opening lines speak of the excitement that children feel as they imagine a world full of toys. The use of the word "dream" here is significant, as it suggests that Christmas is a time when anything is possible and magic is in the air.

The second verse describes the snowy scenes and the sound of sleigh bells ringing through the night. The use of the word "evergreens" implies the presence of Christmas trees, and the description of them as "snowy white" creates a beautiful and peaceful image. The verse ends with a reference to a church steeple, which brings to mind the religious significance of the holiday.

The final verse brings us back to the excitement of Christmas Day, with the arrival of Santa Claus and the joy he brings to children. The repetition of the lines "Loads of joy on his sleigh, this time of the year, when Christmas is near" reinforces the idea that Christmas is a time of celebration and happiness.

Overall, the lyrics to This Time of the Year capture the spirit of Christmas and the joy it brings to people of all ages.

Line by Line Meaning

Little girls and little boys
Children, both girls and boys, think of gifts and toys.

Dream of worlds full of toys
Children imagine a world full of gifts and toys.

This time of the year
During this holiday season.

When Christmas is near
When the holiday of Christmas is approaching.

Evergreens are snowy white
The green trees are covered in white snow.

Sleigh bells ring through the night
The sound of jingling bells from Santa's sleigh can be heard at night.

And somewhere near a steeple
In a location close to a church steeple.

People kneel and pray
Individuals are kneeling and participating in religious prayer.

And choirs sing carols of Christmas day
Musical groups sing festive songs about the holiday of Christmas.

Santa Claus is on his way
Father Christmas is coming very soon.