105 Quotes by Dianne Reeves

I look back at Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and especially Betty Carter, whom I admire the most, and I say, OK, they set a standard of excellence. I listen to them not for what they are doing, but to study where they are coming from because, for me, jazz is life experience.

In high school, we had a really great jazz program that I finally was able to be a part of. They only wanted instrumentalists; they didn't want any singers. But I made my way in, and I remember the conductor of the band wrote a lot of arrangements and asked me what I wanted to sing.

The way I look at it, people pay me to travel. Once we get to the stage, that part is easy.

Early on, I started with classical voice and had that wonderful foundation. For where I wanted to go at that time, there were no teachers to teach it, so I came up with all kinds of different ways to develop the sound of my voice.

Jazz musicians have always tended to have cult followings, which is pretty wonderful.

I'm always inspired to push forward.

I have a sketch of an idea and I never really talk about: perhaps do another jazz record, but with other elements involved.

I never called myself a jazz singer. I just call myself a vocalist because I love to sing all kinds of things.

The Confederate flag is a divisive presence - it's the opposite of everything my artistry means and represents.