[Dixielandjazz] Good Night and Good Luck

[Ed Danielson]

Hi, Bill,

Dianne Reeves is a Denver resident who has graciously performed in the 
performance studio at jazz89 KUVO for the station’s fundraising efforts (we 
are public radio, after all).  I’ve met her on a number of occasions.  The 
Good Night and Good Luck soundtrack has been in heavy rotation at KUVO for 
about three months, and I concur:  it’s excellent.

Personnel:
Vocals: Dianne Reeves
Tenor/alto sax: Matt Catingub
Piano: Peter Martin (also responsible for most of the arrangements)
Bass: Robert Hurst
Bass: Christoph Luty (*)
Drums: Jeff Hamilton
Percussion: Alex Acuña (**) / Alan Estes

Peter Martin is one of the most inventive and tuneful “modern” jazz pianists 
currently playing – check out his album “Something Unexpected” from about 
five years ago.  He has been Dianne’s music director for the last few years, 
and I think has influenced her move away from what has been described as 
overly-produced pop arrangements and toward the jazz mainstream.  Matt 
Catingub has lots of big band credits, and is the son of singer Mavis 
Rivers.  Robert Hurst is a stellar bassist who came up in the Marsalis 
aggregation.  Jeff Hamilton is well-known from associations with the Clayton 
Brothers, Clayton-Hamilton Big Band, Ray Brown and many others.  Alex Acuña 
is a veteran Latin/fusion percussionist.  Luty and Estes I’m not as familiar 
with.

Songs:
Straighten Up And Fly Right*
I’ve Got My Eyes On You*
Gotta Be This Or That
Too Close For Comfort***
How High The Moon*
Who’s Minding The Store?
You’re Driving Me Crazy*
Pretend
Solitude
TV Is The Thing This Year*
Pick Yourself Up**  (one of the best versions I've ever heard)
When I Fall In Love* (Instrumental)
Into Each Life, Some Rain Must Fall
There’ll Be Another Spring
One For My Baby

Dianne is related to George Duke, a hugely talented piano player who mainly 
works in the funk bag (too bad for jazz lovers – he’s a monster!), and to 
legendary Denver bass player Charlie Burrell, the first black member of the 
Denver (later Colorado) Symphony and a sometime member of the Ralph Sutton 
Trio (with Gus Johnson!).  She’s also related to a friend of mine, Denver 
pianist Purnell Steen.

Regards,

Ed Danielson

>From: Bill Haesler
>
>Dear friends,
>Yesterday morning, Jess and I saw the George Clooney film "Good Night and 
>Good Luck"…
>… What has not been mentioned on the DJML (unless I missed it) is the 
>wonderful and authentic-
>looking appearances in the film of singer Dianne Reeves, backed by a fine 
>group comprising tenor, piano, bass and drums...