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2013 · Album

Beautiful Life

↑ Dianne Reeves

Concord · Released: 2013 · Chart Peak (Top Jazz Albums): No. 3 · Chart Peak (Top Contemporary Jazz Albums): No. 1 · Grammy Award: Best Jazz Vocal Album
Beautiful Life

Reeves at the Height of Her Powers

Beautiful Life finds Dianne Reeves making one of her strongest records, Grammy-winning and chart-topping.

Beautiful Life arrived in 2013 as a high-water mark for Dianne Reeves. The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 3 on the broader Top Jazz Albums chart, numbers that reflected not just critical respect but genuine listener engagement. It went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album, which matters because it signals the Recording Academy taking notice of a singer working at full command of her instrument and her taste.

What makes this record stand out in Reeves's catalog is the balance it strikes between her technical gifts and genuine emotional clarity. She's a vocalist with formidable control and range, and by this point in her career she knew exactly how to deploy those skills without oversinging. The material she chose sits well within her voice, and the arrangements give her room to breathe without ever feeling sparse. This isn't a record about vocal gymnastics or demonstrating prowess. It's about a singer telling you something, backed by musicians who understand the assignment.

If you're coming to Reeves for the first time, Beautiful Life is a sensible entry point. It shows her at ease, confident in what she's doing, and uninterested in proving anything to anyone. The commercial success and Grammy recognition weren't flukes—they reflected what listeners heard: a mature artist making a solid, well-crafted album that plays beautifully from start to finish.

Who's playing
Reginald Vealbass
Christian St. Louisbass
James Genusbass
Richard Bonabass
Gerald Claytonpiano
Peter Martinpiano
Ray Angrypiano
Marvin Sewellguitar
Dwight Sillsadditional, guitar
Nadia Washingtonacoustic guitar
Carl Burnettadditional, guitar
Romero Lubamboacoustic guitar
Tia Fulleralto saxophone
Sean Jonestrumpet
Shedrick Mitchellorgan
Terreon Gullydrums
Munyungo Jacksonpercussion
Terri Lyne Carringtonpercussion
George Dukekeyboard
Bobby Sparkskeyboard
Robert Glasperkeyboard
Cédric Hanriotadditional, keyboard
Listen next
By Dianne Reeves
I Remember 1991
Robert Glasper's own record
Covered 2015
Robert Glasper plays keyboard here
More Contemporary Jazz
In My Room 2016
Jacob Collier
Recording Info
Track listing
1I Want You4:57
2Feels So Good (Lifted)4:26
3Dreams5:20
4Satiated (Been Waiting)5:39
5Waiting in Vain6:35
632 Flavors5:27
7Cold6:14
8Wild Rose5:51
9Stormy Weather8:03
10Tango6:36
11Unconditional Love (for You)5:43
12Long Road Ahead3:59
Musicians
Further Reading
Read more

Where next?

More by Dianne Reeves
I Remember 1991
The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan 2001
Dianne Reeves 1987
The Grand Encounter 1996
All 14 albums →
The musicians on this record
Covered 2015
Robert Glasper
plays keyboard here
DreamWeaver 2013
George Duke
plays keyboard here
Their own records, close in time
More Contemporary Jazz
In My Room 2016
Jacob Collier
When the World Was One 2014
Matthew Halsall
The Imagined Savior is Far Easier to Paint 2014
Ambrose Akinmusire
Christian McBride's New Jawn 2018
Christian McBride
All 205 Contemporary Jazz artists →

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