DIANA KRALL
Where: The Orpheum
When: 8 p.m. tonight and Monday.
Tickets: $47.50, $57.50 and $62.50 at Ticketmaster.
In the world of jazz, Diana Krall is the "It" girl. The celebrated 35-year-old Canadian has model good looks, pianistic grace -- and an old-fashioned voice that fairly smolders. Hailed by her fans and critics, Krall followed up her 1999 Grammy-winning disc, When I Look in Your Eyes, with The Look of Love.
This new album, in which she's lushly accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, gathers 10 ballads and bossa nova tunes. Among the standards on this disc are "Cry Me a River," "S'Wonderful," "The Look of Love" and a beautiful, Spanish-language rendition of "Besame Mucho."
For those outside (and inside) the jazz community, Krall's nomination for the top prize -- album of the year --at the '99 Grammys was a shocker because it was the first jazz record to get that nod in 25 years. She lost (to Santana) but did snag the Grammy for best jazz album.
And she got everyone's attention that night.
Since then, Krall has been touring, stitching together The Look of Love and working in TV and film. She's appeared on three seasons of Sex and the City and her music has been featured in the films Autumn in New York, Random Hearts and The Score.
Krall obviously loves what she does but calls it "a lot of hard work."
Still single but seeing a writer she preferred not to name, Krall lives in Manhattan and described herself as "pretty happy." Following is her interview with the New York Post.
Post: How did the Grammy nomination for album of the year affect your career?
Krall: A lot of people who had never heard of me, and may not have heard of me, listened -- not only the public but people in the industry.
Post: Was that the most important night of your career?
Krall: It was but I think the most important event for me was the tribute concert for Joni Mitchell that I was part of.
Post: Why?
Krall: At that show, I saw there were no limits to music. I walked away with the attitude, "Hey, you wanna try and box me in? Tell you what, don't try."
Post: Has Joni Mitchell, a sister Canadian, always been a hero to you?
Krall: She's huge but I only really got into her music over the last four years. I had (her record) Mingus when I was 17 years old but I wasn't a Joni-head. I am now. She is amazing and we've gotten to know each other.
Post: Would you invite her to sing on one of your songs?
Krall: I wouldn't have the audacity to think that she would want to sing with me. I have to borrow a line from Wayne's World and say, "I'm not worthy."
Post: Is there one Joni song you'd pick as your favourite?
Krall: I listen to "A Case of You" every night.
Post: You've shied away from comparisons of your storytelling vocals with Frank Sinatra's. When asked about a Joni Mitchell duet, you say, "I'm not worthy." Given all your accomplishments, your modesty seems out of place.
Krall: I don't let myself think about all that. That's how I protect myself.
Post: You're a big star.
Krall: I'm a working jazz musician.
Post: What is jazz?
Krall: That's really hard. If I were talking to kids, I'd tell them to watch the Ken Burns documentary on jazz. I'd tell them to watch and see what they like, see what interests them. Then I'd tell them to go to the library and listen to more of it.
Post: You've described how to find out if you like jazz, not what it is.
Krall: What I was saying is, that's how you discover jazz is an art form for people. It isn't as intellectual and elitist as some people would make it out to be. Jazz is all emotion. I can't put that into words but I can make you feel it by snapping my fingers. Jazz gives me an unbelievable palette to express myself.
Post: You touch people with your ability to paint with emotion. Who has inspired you?
Krall: Frank Sinatra. He used to do this bit with the audiences in his concerts. He'd ask them to imagine they were his bartender and he'd start singing "Angel Eyes." His cigarette would be dangling from his lips and he'd become a drunk at the bar talking about his girl. That's very powerful stuff for me.
Printed from the official Joni Mitchell website. Permanent link: https://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=680
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