- Title: USA : GRAMMY AWARD WINNING JAZZ SINGER DIANE SCHUUR TALKS ABOUT HER CAREER
- Date: 26th September 2000
- Summary: (REUTERS) (PERFORMANCE CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR RESALE) VARIOUS, DIANE SCHUUR PLAYING WITH BAND
- Embargoed: 11th October 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C./HAWAII, UNITED STATES/ UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVAD4B9TLFTXVOLTZRVL4EJ4KC01
- Story Text: Grammy-award winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur is back in the spotlight again as she ventures into the pop world. Her latest album, Friends For Schuur, features duets with artists Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and the late Stan Getz. Diane recently talked to Reuters about her new album, her accomplishments and skydiving.
Diane Schuur is on tour in the United States this fall in support of her new album Friends for Schuur. She recently stopped at Washington's legendary Blues Alley jazz club to perform a few dates- kicking off her first show with her signature swinging jazz tune, Deedles.
Schuur's latest release, which hits record stores worldwide on Tuesday (September 26), is a slight departure from Schuur's jazzy roots. The two-time Grammy winner calls Friends for Schuur
"an introduction to the pop world."
The album features performances by Schuur and other musicians like friends Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. The album even contains a duet with the late saxophonist Stan Getz thanks to a digital reproduction.
Schuur says the CD has a "lot of wonderful, wonderful, musicians. It's just some really wonderful gems that we did. "
The singer and pianist, who has been blind since shortly after her birth, says her blindness hasn't really affected her music "one way or another."
"It's just overcoming the challenges of everyday life is what it really presents," says Schuur.
Schuur has overcome more than just that In 1998, the artist decided to jump out of an airplane over Hawaii. She successfully completed the skydive with a little help from her instructor.
Schuur lists the feat as one of her greatest accomplishments. One other is her successful battle over alcoholism.
"One of the things that I'm very happy about is the fact that I've been able to stay sober," says Schuur. "The fact that I'll be coming up on 11 years in a couple of years.
That's one of the top priorities. In fact, Stan Getz tried to gently lead me toward that. But, I wasn't quite ready."
As for the future, Diane would like to see how far her new album will take her.
"I'd like to see happens with Friends for Schuur, and see it what level that it takes me to. And just keep doing what I'm doing. . . Life is good today."
Many in her audience seem to agree. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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