Long regarded as one of contemporary jazz's leading vocalists, Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. Born in Tacoma, Washington on Dec. 10, 1953, Schuur was blind from birth; but she was gifted with perfect pitch and a three-and-a-half-octave vocal range. She initially taught herself piano by ear and later received formal piano training at The Washington State School for the Blind, which she attended until she was 11 years of age.
In creating a special music program in honor of her 70th year, Schuur has hand-picked songs from her vast catalog to present a lyrical biography, spotlighting both her music and memories from a creative, visionary life. From Schuur’s early years of finding her voice, to collaborations with jazz, blues and country giants including Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Stan Getz, B.B. King, the Count Basie Orchestra, and Vince Gill (to name but a few), the artist shares the music and the moments. Diane Schuur at 70: An Evening of Song and Stories will include blues, straight-ahead jazz, a slice of gospel, and a few tunes that defy categorization, fashioning a musical blueprint of her current place in time.
Schuur’s latest recording Running On Faith (2020) was co-produced by Schuur and Grammy winning saxophonist Ernie Watts. On this very personal musical statement, released by Jazzheads Music Group (JH1243), the vocalist creates new versions of songs for which she has a deep-rooted affection. Performing on piano throughout, Schuur arranges music by some of her favorite performers and songwriters; from Miles Davis to Carole King to Paul Simon.
Nicknamed "Deedles" as a child, she grew up surrounded by the world of jazz embraced by both of her parents. Her father was an amateur pianist, and her mother kept a formidable collection of Duke Ellington and Dinah Washington albums in the home. Not surprisingly, Dinah Washington is often listed as Schuur's major vocal influence, and she learned the iconic singer's "What a Difference a Day Makes" while she was still a toddler. She also developed her own rich, resonant vocal style at a very young age.
With a distinguished recording career that spans over three decades, including two Grammy awards (Timeless and Diane Schuur and The Count Basie Orchestra on GRP Records), as well as three additional Grammy nominations, Schuur's music has explored almost every corner of the American musical landscape. Her musical collaborations include the aforementioned Count Basie Orchestra, B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Jose Feliciano, among countless others. These collaborations have resulted in numerous top Billboard chart recordings, including Pure Schuur and Heart to Heart with B.B. King.
Ms. Schuur has appeared on PBS and many other television specials as well as a very special visit to the beloved TV show, Sesame Street. She has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and The White House on multiple occasions. She was one of the select musical guests invited to sing for Stevie Wonder at the Kennedy Center Honors when he received his prestigious award. She continues to tour and perform extensively at concert halls and festivals around the world.