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Diana Krall
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Quick Facts Born: November 16, 1964 Birthplace: Nanaimo, British Columbia |
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"I can't remember not playing." It's easy to overlook Diana Krall. Her music is the inoffensive sort that easily blends into the background. The charm of her music is its simplicity; she's not trying to tear your heart out with her singing, or stun you with her piano technique. Sometimes we need that, nice renditions of standards that we can sit around and listen to on a Sunday afternoon. This is why she is warmly received by both jazz and mainstream audiences. Diana came from a musical family; both of her parents played the piano. She studied classical and jazz piano, and by the age of fifteen had a regular stint at a local pub. Her skill won her a Vancouver Jazz Fest scholarship for the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Ray Brown and Jeff Hamilton caught one of her performances, and suggested she continue her studies in California. Pianist Jimmy Rowles took her under his wing; he was the first to recommend that she start adding vocals to her music. Her first album, "Steppin' Out", was released in 1995, featuring performances by Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton, and John Clayton. However, it was not until her third album, a Nat King Cole tribute called "All For You", that she earned mass appeal. The album resulted in a Grammy nomination, and a seventy week run in the Billboard jazz charts. Her fourth album gave her another Grammy nomination, and she finally took one home with her fifth release, "When I Look Into Your Eyes". It was the first jazz album in twenty-five years to be nominated for album of the year. Diana Krall has a huge following now, especially in the celebrity realm. Harrison Ford, Elton John, and Sting all count themselves as fans. She is a regular at jazz tributes, having performed at Ray Brown’s seventy-fifth birthday, and at concerts for Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Carter. Her 2001 release, "The Look of Love", seems to take a step out of jazz. She worked with Claus Ogerman on this one, a man who has written arrangements for Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. The London Symphony Orchestra is heavily featured, watering down the intimacy of her earlier recordings. It's a change in direction, but it sounds like it's where she wants to go: "I wish we could have released a double record… This album is my dream come true." Related Articles: Diana Krall is Very Nearly off My Christmas Card List Grammy Nominations Announced Interview: Jeari Czapla Norah Jones Kicks Diana Krall in the Bum Peter Cincotti Debuts At Number 2 On Billboard Jazz Chart Upcoming Releases From Concord Records Written by: MM © jazzbrat.com Request Article Sources |
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