This article is part of a series in celebration of a new, dynamic voice in Black America: the NUBIANO Exchange. Brace yourself for the NUBIANO experience. 
Dianne Reeves is one of America’s most revered contemporary jazz singers. Standing on the shoulders of her forbearers, Reeves’ name has been added to the ranks of Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn, her vocal inspiration and personal favorite.
To date, the Recording Academy has bestowed Dianne Reeves with four GRAMMY awards — making her the first singer to win “Best Jazz Vocal Performance” for three consecutive recordings: In The Moment (2001), The Calling (2002) and A Little Moonlight (2003). Reeves garnered her fourth GRAMMY with the soundtrack to Good Night, Good Luck (2006), a movie in which she was also featured. 
On April 15, 2008, Dianne Reeves released When You Know, an album that showcases Love — from a woman’s perspective — in all of her different stages. Upon review of When You Know, Dianne Reeves managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on life, love and, of course, jazz.
In 1977, you embarked on a musical journey — introducing your spirit to the world with the release of Welcome to My Love. Much of your recent mainstream success has been in the last decade, however, with a string of historic GRAMMY wins. What kept you motivated during the early years and what do you attribute to the longevity of your career?
In those [early] years, I was trying to find out who I was. I had the opportunity to record. I was touring, I had my own band – that just kept me going. I think that’s the same kind of thing that still works and keeps me going now – it’s the journey of all of this. Throughout the journeys, there have been more and more accolades, more and more people who have come to know what I do and who I am.
One song you have revisited in this journey a couple of times is “Better Days.” You appear to be telling a specific tale about you and your grandmother, but the lyrics really reach out to a lot of people on a very personal level. What is the significance behind the song?
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