Dianne Reeves

I love Denver.

I love to create something new every night onstage; that makes a big difference.

I loved singing something like 'I've Got My Eye On You' when it's really about the FBI. It turns a love song into something else!

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.

I always say that improvisation is the utterance of one's spirit, and it dictates your life experience, and that's how you find your concepts and your way for painting your musical picture.

I think the only way for you to grow and evolve is to keep listening, keep moving forward, keep jumping in and trying to experience.

Art is a direct reflection of the life you live. What you experience comes out in your work.

Even in a world with much sadness, at its essence, life is beautiful.

I grew up with great mentors in my life who helped me become the singer I am today.

My mother would say, 'Stay ready so you don't have to get ready.' I spent a lot of my early years preparing for beautiful moments that have unfolded in my life so far.

I had aunts who played piano and sang and also were entertainers, so music was very much a part of my life.

The music we do is weaved together through stories and life experiences. When people come to hear us, I hope they are are uplifted and that we give them a lot to take home.