17/04/2024
💡My review of first lady of jazz: Dianne Reeves 🎶🤩
in Zürich, Switzerland, Volkshaus (April 10th 2024).
The expectations are high: first lady of jazz, several grammys "best vocal jazz performance" and my memory of her last CD tour almost 10 years ago.
The location feels a bit like a degradation compared to the Tonhalle (before renovation) where I saw her last. A good thing: old jazz club vibes come up being allowed to take your drinks inside. But the euphory soon disappears when there is nowhere to put your drink.
First sounds; the band starts with "Softly, as in a morning sunrise" in uptempo. It becomes clear that I need to get rid of my drink; my hands need to be free for the well deserved applauses after the solo's. This band rocks. Now it is just waiting for the Voice. Dianne enters already after one warming up song of the band. Her outfit is very untraditional; I have to smile when I see her black, shiny army-like trousers: the same ones I wore 2 years ago as a frontwoman of a rock coverband. A black shiny t-shirt on top. Pimping the outfit with American concert style bling bling jewelry. Comfortable and concert appropiate. This woman has style and respect for her audience.
Her voice sounds good, very good; first lady of jazz kind of good. Her low register with extra low effect added as we know it. Her middle register mainly belting technic mixed with twang. Her high register pure. Switching registers fluently, super fit. A bit of a dry voice, could be tiredness, could be the dry Swiss air. Is it thee with honey in that dark cup on stage? Probably; she is a pro. I hope somebody introduced her to the amazing pure Swiss mountain honey?
She talks with the audience, is authentic, somebody should have told her about the difference between "high German" and "Swiss German": she is a singer, she can remember one Swiss word if you'd let her.
Her improvisation is great, the band interaction is great. Creative and very secure (tonal / traditional) at the same time. She is able to let the tension rise, this is what you want to experience when you go to a first lady of jazz concert. Why does it feel like there is a bit of a filter on her sound? Oh no, it is the microphone. Is it a "Neumann"? Not perfect for her voice. Offered by the location or her own choice? She ends the concert in duo with guitar without mic, maybe she noticed? "Shure" would have definitely been the better option.
Some traditional standards, some songs of her own, a balad in tempo 53, improvised lyrics, it is all there: the full package.
Dianne Reeves proves that a jazz singer can reach her prime time at age 67.
Other singers convince with bathingsuit outfits and fill a "Hallenstadion".
Dianne Reeves convinces with singing.
Go and see her as long as this is possible!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars out of 5
Band: John Beasley, piano - Romero Lubambo, guitar - Reuben Rogers, bass - Terreon Gully, drums
