Vancouver Sun: Krall kicks off jazz festival in fine style

[Bud]

Source: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouv ... 32c09b3ea0

Krall kicks off jazz festival in fine style
Nanaimo-bred star gives tough, infectious performance

Greg Buium
Vancouver Sun

June 25, 2005

CREDIT: Steve Bosch, Vancouver Sun
Diana Krall opened the jazz festival at the Orpheum Theatre Friday night.

The 20th annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival kicked off Friday night with all the glitz and glamour of its favourite headliner: B.C.'s own Diana Krall.

For all its avant-garde affections, the VIJF adores its stars - and they don't come any bigger, here or anywhere for that matter, than the Nanaimo-bred singer and pianist.

Scalpers lined Smithe Street an hour before the show, the first of two sold-out performances at the Orpheum Theatre.

But when you hear her live, Krall's glitz, her glamour is of a remarkably understated variety.

It wasn't just how she looked, with the jeans and the white cowboy jacket.

The absence of a Hollywood back drop - a la Michael Buble - set the scene.

The stage was set up in the manner of a classic jazz combo.

It was a singer-piano player plus a guitar trio, nice and compact, packed into the centre of the stage.

Forget about the glossy car ads, and the ultra-famous spouse, this was the Diana every first came to know: the tough, infectious performer tapped right into the jazz tradition.

What about the adult-contemporary Diana, The Girl in the Other Room Diana who's been writing songs with that famous husband, Elvis Costello?

She appeared, too. But only in spots. This Diana seemed more interested in Nat (King) Cole and Tony Bennett and even, during a wicked arrangement of My Shining Hour, allusions to the bebop classic, Salt Peanuts.

Krall's command over the jazz vernacular is impressive - she's got a handle on more of it than any so-called diva ever should - and when she's in this mode you're reminded that she's formidable piano player, too, laying behind the beat, coaxing the band, directing her own vocal style from behind this husky, rollicking keyboard style.

Add this to her excellent group - guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Karriem Riggins - and you remember, on nights like this, how impeccable her taste can be.

The Brad Turner Trio opened Friday's show.

The B.C. trumpet player and pianist was named musician of the year at this week's National Jazz Awards.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005

[johnfoyle]

This nice photo is at the above link -

CREDIT: Steve Bosch, Vancouver Sun
Diana Krall opened the jazz festival at the Orpheum Theatre Friday night.