Dianne Reeves

Dianne Reeves is a jazz ‘legend’, winner of five Grammy awards, and has just turned 60, which she amusingly and poignantly reflected on in her show. This was the first time Dianne Reeves had performed in Adelaide.  Her show, two hours of wonderful ‘smooth jazz’, was the first in a series of concerts by acclaimed international cabaret artists that is one of the main features of the year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival.  Other artists include Alan Cumming and Michael Feinstein.

The concert last night started with the jazz quartet accompanying Ms Reeves – and already one knew that this was to be terrific as the standard of musicianship and artistry was so high. Then Ms Reeves entered and the first of two ‘sets’ began.

The first ‘set’ was mostly comprised of jazz ‘standards’ as well as original songs by Ms Reeves. Her reflection on turning 60 was the trigger for the beautiful original song ‘9’, whilst two ‘standards’ that were absolute stand-outs were Gershwin’s ‘The Man I Love’ and Arlen’s and Mercer’s ‘One for my Baby (and One More for the Road)’, the later song climaxing the first ‘set’.

The second ‘set’ was slightly different in that it comprised more improvisational work. Ms Reeves is highly and justly celebrated for her talent and skill in ‘skat’ and we were given a number of examples of her stunning range and ability.

What made this concert even more enjoyable was the actual warmth and charm of Ms Reeves herself, her direct engagement with the audience, and her generosity and respect for her colleagues on-stage. On numerous occasions, she would just sit and allow an individual improvisation, muttering words of praise and then easily seguing and leading one towards another improvisation – simply marvelous.

If the exceptionally high standard as set by Dianne Reeves and her band is any indication then Adelaide is in for something quite extraordinary with this series of international cabaret artists. Congratulations and deepest thanks to Artistic Director Eddie Izard and his team.

Tony Knight

Photographer: Jerris Madison