Jazz

When I was in high school one of my best friends was a musician with an older brother who became the father of a singer Diane Krall. I am not a big jazz fan, but I have followed her career with interest, even though I have lost contact with my high school friend. 

For those who do not know, Diana Krall is an accomplished singer and jazz pianist. Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, in 1964, she began playing the piano at the age of four. Music runs in her family, and during high school, she played in a jazz group and performed in various restaurants in Nanaimo. At 17, she received a scholarship from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival to attend Berklee College of Music, where she studied for one and a half years.

While performing in Nanaimo, she was encouraged by renowned bassist Ray Brown, the ex-husband of Ella Fitzgerald, to move to Los Angeles to further develop her talents with pianist Jimmy Rowles. She followed his advice, and this move introduced her to influential producers and teachers. In 1990, she moved to New York.

In 2003, Diana married British musician Elvis Costello on Elton John's estate. The couple welcomed twin boys, Dexter Henry Lorcan and Frank Harlan James, in 2006.

Diana's passion for jazz was influenced by her father's extensive collection of jazz records. She faced personal losses in 2002, with the passing of her mother due to multiple myeloma and her mentors Ray Brown and Rosemary Clooney within a few months of each other. Her younger sister remains a strong supporter of her career.

Her debut album, "Stepping Out," was released in 1993, featuring John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton. This album caught the attention of producer Tommy LiPuma, who produced her second album, "Only Trust Your Heart," in 1995. Her third album, "All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio," released in 1996, was nominated for a Grammy Award and spent 70 weeks on Billboard's jazz charts. In 1997, she released "Love Scenes," featuring guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Christian McBride.

In 2000, Diana toured with Tony Bennett and received multiple Grammy nominations. Her album "The Look of Love" (2001) achieved platinum status and reached number one on the Canadian charts and the top ten on the Billboard 200. In 2001, she embarked on a world tour, and her Paris Olympia concert was recorded and released as "Diana Krall: Live in Paris." The album topped the Billboard Jazz Charts, reached number five in Canada, and made the top 20 on the Billboard 200. It included covers of Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are" and Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You."

After marrying Elvis Costello, Diana co-wrote songs with him, resulting in the 2004 album "The Girl in the Other Room." She also appeared in a Lexus advertisement that year and performed "Dream a Little Dream of Me" with pianist Hank Jones. In 2003, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Victoria, and in 2004, she was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. Since 2004, Diana Krall has continued to make significant contributions to the jazz and music world. Here are some highlights of her career from 2004 onwards:

Albums and Music Projects:

• "Christmas Songs" (2005): A holiday album featuring The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
• "From This Moment On" (2006): This album includes standards and ballads, reflecting her jazz roots.
• "Quiet Nights" (2009): A bossa nova-inspired album that received critical acclaim.
• "Glad Rag Doll" (2012): Produced by T-Bone Burnett, this album features songs from the 1920s and 1930s.
• "Wallflower" (2015): An album that includes covers of pop and rock songs from the 1960s to the present.
• "Turn Up the Quiet" (2017): A return to jazz standards, featuring collaborations with Tommy LiPuma.
• "Love Is Here to Stay" (2018): A collaborative album with Tony Bennett, focusing on the music of George Gershwin.
• "This Dream of You" (2020): An album featuring previously unreleased tracks from sessions with Tommy LiPuma.

Tours and Performances:

• Diana has toured extensively around the world, performing at prestigious venues and jazz festivals.
• She has collaborated with various artists, including Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and her husband, Elvis Costello.

Awards and Honors:

• In 2008, she was awarded the Order of British Columbia.
• In 2013, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, recognizing her international influence in jazz and popular music.
• Diana has received multiple Grammy Awards and nominations throughout her career.

Personal Life:

• Diana continues to balance her career with her family life, raising her twin sons with Elvis Costello.

Recent Projects:

• She has remained active in the music industry, participating in various charitable events and projects.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued to engage with fans through virtual performances and social media.

Diana Krall's enduring talent and dedication to her craft have solidified her position as one of the leading figures in contemporary jazz.