My records are one thing. My live performances are something totally different because they're very improvised performances.

My junior high school teacher, Bennie Williams, was really more than a music teacher. She taught us poetry. She helped us put on school shows. She did all these kinds of things to help us stand in each other's shoes, and it was a really powerful time. That's when I discovered that I could sing.

The thing that I tell young people is everybody is unique in their approach to the music, and you have to protect that.

Dianne Reeves Quotes