Contemporary Jazz

Diane Schuur

Diane Joan Schuur (born December 10, 1953, in Tacoma, Washington) is an American jazz vocalist and pianist celebrated for her powerful voice, impeccable pitch, and soulful phrasing. Blind from birth, Schuur developed an extraordinary ear early on, teaching herself piano and absorbing influences from jazz, blues, and gospel. 

She gained national attention in the late 1970s when Stan Getz invited her to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival. This breakthrough led to a recording contract with GRP Records, where she became one of the label’s flagship artists during the 1980s. 

Often nicknamed “Deedles” (a childhood nickname reflecting her vocal improvisations), Schuur blends jazz standards, blues, and pop with a distinctive emotional intensity. Her phrasing draws comparisons to legends like Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan, though her style is unmistakably her own. She is a two-time Grammy Award winner, known especially for her collaborations with artists such as Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Count Basie Orchestra.