Diana Krall

It had only been a few days since singer and pianist Diana Krall publicly announced that she and husband Elvis Costello were expecting their first child. Her remarks may have primarily focused on her upcoming album, but it was easy to discern the rosy glow as she discussed imminent arrivals, and how she came up with the name for one of them. “I already knew before we went into the studio the title of the record. I definitely knew it was going to be From This Moment On.” Cole Porter’s romantic ode to great expectations (with its hip, heartening couplet, “No more blue songs/Only whoop-dee-doo songs”) could not be more apt a title track for Krall’s tenth album. From This Moment On is an eleven-song collection that captures the Canadian-born sensation in full swing, in great company, and at the top of her game. It could also be called her strongest, most cohesive release to date. Krall is the first to admit that the album’s marked, upbeat theme was not originally her intention (“I never try to link tunes together or find songs that work together as a whole. It happens organically in the recording process, or not at all.”) But she does assume credit for knowing the songs she would be recording when she, her quartet and the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra assembled for two weeks in Los Angeles’s famed Capitol Studios this spring. “I didn’t really sit down with anybody prior to recording it and say, ‘I think I want to do this.’ I knew exactly what I wanted from the get go. I started writing down song titles last summer, but a lot of these tunes I’ve had in my back pocket for years. I’ve been working on ‘How Insensitive’ for about ten years. ‘Day In, Day Out’ I started working on when I was about 24. I mean these are all tunes that finally have found their place. “Every tune has to have some sort of personal connection. But I didn’t want it all to be too upbeat �" like ‘Willow Weep For Me’, which for me is more of a social comment, adds a question mark to that positive feeling.” In songs, mood and delivery, From This Moment On reveals Krall’s personal ardor for that golden era of song- making, when Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and (especially) Nat “King” Cole were in their prime. It’s musical territory that Krall has often explored, but this album was certainly not a case of simply repeating past formulas: Krall’s A-team of support—producer Tommy LiPuma, engineer Al Schmitt and arranger/bandleader John Clayton—were on hand to ensure that inspiration was kept on an edge, unhindered by the studio environment.

“I’m not exactly working with people who are going to just say, ‘Oh it’s lovely, Diana.’ We never go an automatic pilot, you know? Sometimes I feel incredibly exposed during the recording process but fortunately I have the safety net of people whom I can listen to, and agree or disagree with. There’s nobody hanging over me and saying you have to do this or that. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t surprises and it can be an extraordinarily intense environment. The emotions can run high since people care so passionately about the music and what we are doing.” Krall—for the few still unknowing—is the 41-year old sensation whose cool, heavy-lidded vocals and strikingly sensitive piano-playing has helped her transcend barriers of genre to become a popular artist of the first order who has carved herself a permanent position at the top of the jazz charts. The seeds of Krall’s crossover success are firmly rooted in her upbringing. Born in Nanaimo, Canada, to a musical family—her father is a stride-style pianist and serious record collector — she grew up absorbing music that laid the foundation for her future growth. She attended Berklee College of Music in the early ‘80s, moved to Los Angeles where she continued her studies with the likes of bassist Ray Brown and pianist Jimmy Rowles, who convinced the young pianist to focus on her singing as well. By 1990, Krall relocated to New York City where she began performing on a regular basis with her trio. In 1993, she released her debut album on a small Canadian independent label. Thirteen years later, she can look back over a stellar career path: in ’99, signed to Verve, her career exploded when When I Look in Your Eyes won a GRAMMY© for best jazz vocal and became the first jazz disc to be nominated for Album of the Year in twenty-five years. In 2002, The Look of Love was a #1 bestseller in the US and a seven-time platinum album in Canada. 2004’s The Girl in the Other Room, was her first to focus on her own songwriting—featuring six tunes co-written with her husband—and last year’s Christmas Songs proved one of the season’s best-sellers. From This Moment On delivers Krall closer than ever to her musical aspirations and, in many ways, serves as a tribute to her heroes and mentors. One can detect her gratitude in a variety of musical moments. “There’s a couple of pieces that I put Ray Brown into—like his introduction to Count Basie’s Little Darlin’ on ‘You Can Depend On Me’ — and a lot of [vocalist/pianist] Shirley Horn was present in ‘Come Dance With Me.’ Our treatment of ‘From This Moment On’ came together after listening to [trumpeter/composer] Kenny Dorham’s version which I really love. I hear [arranger] Billy May especially in ‘Day In Day Out.’ “I have to mention Fred Astaire’s influence on ‘I Was Doing All Right’—and in fact, all through the album. I listened to a lot of Fred with Oscar Peterson while preparing for this project, as well as watching a lot of his early movies, like Swing Time." “Do you know that great album with Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra, where he sings ‘Poor Butterfly’? ‘ Isn’t This A Lovely Day’ is very reminiscent of that. John [Clayton] wrote that arrangement at dinner the night before we recorded it. We were all sitting at a restaurant and he’s got a pad of paper. He was laughing and having the conversation and you see the wheels turning at the same time. And I loved playing piano on that. I think that’s my favorite piano work on the whole record—that, and ‘Exactly Like You.’” Krall’s piano work and her arrangements—particularly on the album’s four quartet performances—are all standouts, as are a number of instrumental solos that she recalls with a marked fondness. “That’s Gerald Clayton on piano on the title track — he’s an amazing piano player and I think he played the hell out of that tune. I think Jeff Clayton’s alto sax solo on ‘Isn’t This A Lovely Day’ is a masterpiece — definitely one of the highlights of the record. And Terrell Stafford played the perfect trumpet solo right after that! He walked in, nailed it in front of the whole band, and I said ‘Terrell, you sound like an old man.’ He’s only in his 30s! I meant it as the best compliment. Krall is quick to point out that she is happy with everything on the album for different reasons, especially for the collaborative results. “I’m proud of tunes like ‘Exactly Like You’ specifically for every little note that [guitarist] Anthony [Wilson] plays, and simply for how the subtlety can work when we all play together, and how we all play what matters.” “Playing what matters” could well be the subtitle to From This Moment On. There’s an economy and confidence that speak to the maturity of Krall as a performer, and a recording artist. “I really settled in with this record. I think I’ve let go of trying to prove something, and I wasn’t out to overplay solos. To just settle back into the bench and play those tough tempos and keep the solos simple and melodic and beautiful, and not have to pass a poll of some kind? That’s enough.” From This Moment On is also a recording that cannot help but expose Krall’s feelings of being a wife and expectant mother. “It’s a reflection of who I am and where I am at this time. So I need to get that album out like now because that’s how I feel now. I don’t know how I’m going to feel six months down the road, so ‘Only whoop-dee-doo songs’? Yeah. Exactly.”

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Jim West: 40 Years and Going Strong at Justin Time Records

by Kerilie McDowall
April 4, 2024

Owner of Canada's Justin Time Records, the multi-award-winning Jim West, has brought stellar top performers from the Canadian music scene and the USA to the global stage since 1983 for almost half a century, and that's some heavyweight “cred." To celebrate, the label has crafted a compilation, 40 Years of Justin Time Records (Justin Time, 2023), featuring forty essential listens from Justin Time Records Inc.'s tracks from the years of its diverse history and ...

Live Review

Jazz At Juan-Les-Pins Festival 2022

by Martin McFie
July 27, 2022

Pinède Gould Jazz à Juan Festival Juan les Pins, South of France July 6-19 2022 Juan-les-Pins is an elegant beach town near Antibes, in the South of France. The stage is set on the Mediterranean sea shore, surrounded by pine trees and sandy beaches. There is no backdrop, so the audience, seated on metal bleachers, has a clear view of the sea and super yachts as the evenings turn from sunset to night.

Radio & Podcasts

Diana Krall & Marty Elkins

by Joe Dimino
July 11, 2021

The 707th Episode of Neon Jazz is heavy on vocalists and starts with New York singer Marty Elkins and bassist Mike Richmond with a cut from their latest album 'Tis Autumn. We also hear the vocals of Staci Griesbach, Diana Krall and Vanessa Tagliabue-Yorke. From there, we dig into new music from Mariel Bildsten, Julian Lage and Doug MacDonald. Another solid hour of jazz. Enjoy. Playlist Marty Elkins and Mike Richmond “All Or Nothing At All" 'Tis Autumn ...

Radio & Podcasts

Excuse My Dust- -Dorothy Parker Returns to New York

by Mary Foster Conklin
September 14, 2020

To celebrate the return of Dorothy Parker's ashes to her native New York, we open with a new version of Mrs. Parker's classic “I Wished On The Moon," performed by Diana Krall, along with new releases from saxophonist Teodross Avery, vocalist Elisabeth Lohninger, drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, violinist Tomoko Omura, pianist Maggie Herron and the Flying Horse Big Band with birthday shoutouts to Teri Thornton (pictured) Mark Winkler, Horace Silver, Claire Martin, Sherrie Maricle,Akiko Tsuruga and more. Thanks for listening ...

Radio & Podcasts

George Gershwin, Frank Foster & Late September New Releases

by Mary Foster Conklin
October 20, 2018

Birthday shout-outs to George Gershwin (with a nod to Ann Ronnell and Kay Swift, women writers that he encouraged) and saxophonist/arranger Frank Foster, along with new releases to round out the month of September. Playlist Lou Caputo “Busy Busy Busy" from Uh Oh! (Self-released) 00:00 Danny Bacher “Joy Spring" from Still Happy! (Whaling City Sound) 07:11 Bob Mintzer Big Band & The New York Voices “I'll Remember April" from Meeting of Minds (MCG Jazz) 11:10 Host speaks ...

Live Review

Diana Krall Sextet at Mesa Arts Center

by Patricia Myers
April 22, 2014

Diana Krall Sextet Mesa Arts Center Mesa, Arizona April 8, 2014 Diana Krall applied her sultry voice and dynamic piano style to a captivating if surprising concert that combined jazz with tender childhood memories, silent-film clips and Seinfeld-style mischievous humor. In a stage setting that resembled an old-time theater, Krall mostly performed music from the 1920s and 1930s, saying she loved old music and silent movies,and that she had heard many of the songs on ...

Year in Review

Top Ten "Most Read" Articles: 2013

by AAJ Staff
January 2, 2014

All About Jazz tracks how often an article is read, and the articles listed below represent our top ten published in 2013. 1. Diana Krall: Rediscovering Vaudeville in Glad Rag Doll 2. The Harlem Renaissance and American Music 3. John McLaughlin: Risk, Magic And Mystery 4. George Benson: Finding His Groove In Inspiration 5. Steven Wilson: Montreal, Canada, April 25, 2013 6. ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2022

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today!

Performance / Tour

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month With Free Concerts, Diana Krall, And More

Source: AMT Public Relations
February 26, 2022

Bethany Vespers Series: Samara Joy Saturday, April 2 @ 6:00 pm Co-presented by Bethany Baptist Church and NJPAC, this month's Bethany Vesper Concert Series features a performance by jazz vocalist Samara Joy. With a voice and style mature beyond her 22 years, this is a rising star you won't want to miss. Samara won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition at NJPAC and released her self-titled debut album just last year. Samara is fresh off winning Best New ...
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Performance / Tour

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Announces 2022 Jazz Line-Up

Source: AMT Public Relations
November 30, 2021

A world of jazz music just minutes from home. 2022 Schedule Sat 1.08 | Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers Series: Brandee Younger Co-presented by the Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers, NJPAC continues its free concert series in 2022 with the hottest harpist on the scene today: Brandee Younger. This event takes place at Bethany Baptist Church at 117 W. Market Street, Newark, NJ. FREE Fri 1.21 @ 8:00 p.m. | George Clinton + Parliament Funkadelic with Special Guests 80th Birthday ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2018

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2017

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2016

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Diana Krall

Source: Michael Ricci
November 16, 2015

All About Jazz is celebrating Diana Krall's birthday today! It had only been a few days since singer and pianist Diana Krall publicly announced that she and husband Elvis Costello were expecting their first child. Her remarks may have primarily focused on her upcoming album, but it was easy to discern the rosy glow as she discussed imminent arrivals, and how she came up with the name for one of them. “I already knew before we went into the studio ...
read more

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