Grammy-winner jazzes up Eccles Theatre
It’s not rare for major performers to grace various stages – whether they are in London, Tokyo … or Logan.
For jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, it was worth the trip.
Reeves’ visit to Logan brought in a full house at the Ellen Eccles Theatre Tuesday evening.
“I haven’t seen a singer like this. It’s unbelievable,” said Lee Austin, owner of Utah Public Radio, who had interviewed Reeves on his radio earlier that day.
Austin said when he talked to her she was extremely down to earth and generous.
This “down to earth” singer has won two Grammy awards and numerous other praises. She received the Ella Fitzgerald Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. She also enthralled many Utahns and people around the world when she sang at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Her trip to Utah was short this time, too. After her second performance Wednesday night she headed off for more performances and to get ready for the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles. Her latest album, “A Little Moonlight” is up for an award.
But it was Logan’s turn for a star.
At the beginning of her concert, she said, “We’re excited to be here.”
She continued lavishing compliments.
“We’ve met some incredible people, very sweet,” she gushed. “If you’re in the audience, hello.”
She also mentioned visiting some local spots in Logan such as her dining experiences at Angie’s and The Bluebird.
“The food was OK,” she sang.
OK food was enough for her to give a spectacular performance.
“She potentially is the finest jazz musician I’ve ever heard in Logan,” said Grayson Osborne, a psychology professor at Utah State University and jazz music fan.
Osborne said he was impressed by Reeves’ improvising because she sang every key, every chord – right.
“She’s got that nailed,” he said.
He also thought the other members of the band deserved praise.
“It’s a high-quality rhythm section,” he said.
The other members of her trio included pianist Peter Marti, bassist Rueben Rogers and drummer Gregory Hutchinson.
“Early on, there was just this very magical thing that happened, and it just kept happening,” Reeves said. “I thought, ‘I would love to record this,’ because it feels so good and so natural,” Reeves said in an interview in The Salt Lake Tribune.
She’ll try to keep that magic.
Reeves was born of jazz. Her singing draws upon a world of influences: Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean; gospel and rhythm and blues; classical and contemporary.
USU psychology student Steve Huber liked the variation of music.
“I loved how into it she was,” Huber said. “It was from the soul. She dug it.”
A member of Reeves’ entourage loved hearing the audience’s reaction.
“Logan’s audience was very enthusiastic,” said Conan Reynolds, one of Reeves’ stage crew. “Tell a friend.”
We just did.
-acbailey@cc.usu.edu