Pianist and singer Diane Schuur began her career as a pre-teen in the Seattle-Tacoma area and was soon performing at a Holiday Inn. She became a regular at jam sessions in the area and attended the University of Puget Sound. Discovered and encouraged by Doc Severinson, Stan Getz, Don Grusin and others she was soon appearing at major festivals and recording regularly for GRP for whom she made 11 albums plus two collections. She has also recorded with Ray Charles, Maynard Ferguson and the Count