Mario Tarradell

Dianne Reeves could jazz up the phone book. And she'd do it so smoothly and seductively that it would almost take you by surprise.

ELIZABETH M. CLAFFEY/Special Contributor

Dianne Reeves and Reginald Veal performed jazz tunes Friday at McFarlin Auditorium.

The premier jazz vocalist, accompanied by an accomplished four-man band, soulfully worked her way through an array of songs Friday night at Southern Methodist University's McFarlin Auditorium. The show, presented by TITAS, focused on material from the Detroit native's When You Know, which arrives in stores April 15.

Dressed in a white pantsuit, her hair pulled into a bun, Ms. Reeves exemplified the epitome of cool passion. She never did any grandstanding. She didn't need to. That voice pingpongs and somersaults effortlessly.

Hers is an amazing instrument. Her pipes have lung power, elasticity, musicality and control. She could stop a note, bring it up, take it down and then caress it, all seemingly in one breath. Ms. Reeves did plenty of scatting, especially when the band was in tropical, rhythmic mode. And her homage to Mama – "Today Will Be a Good Day," inspired by her mother – was so upbeat and positive that it should have been sugar-sickening. Not a chance.

The four-time Grammy winner turned the Temptations' "Just My Imagination" into a suave manifesto, not to mention a humorous tale of a high school crush she had on the captain of the football team. "One for My Baby," from the Good Night, and Good Luck soundtrack, was a marvel to watch. She was the vamping diva, singing with every fiber of her being – and she was sitting down.

Clearly, Ms. Reeves could belt from a bunk bed, and she'd still jazz herself into a frenzy.

ARCHIVES: Search for more stories on this and other topics | Search Tips

SUBSCRIBE: Get The Dallas Morning News delivered to your home