Diana Jean Krall is a celebrated Canadian jazz pianist and singer, born on November 16, 1964, in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Renowned for her contralto vocals, Krall has sold over 15 million albums worldwide, earning her place as one of the best-selling jazz artists of her era.
Krall began her musical journey at a young age, taking classical piano lessons during her childhood. Raised in a musical household in Nanaimo, she embarked on her professional career as a jazz pianist at the age of 15. Her education in music was profoundly shaped by the mentorship of her high school teacher, Brian Stovell, and subsequently, Louise Rose in Victoria.
In 1981, Krall received a Vancouver Jazz Festival scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. Following her studies, she returned to British Columbia and later relocated to Los Angeles, where a grant from the Canadian Arts Council allowed her to study with jazz legend Jimmy Rowles. Rowles encouraged Krall to develop her vocal talents in addition to her piano skills.
Krall's professional career gained momentum in the early 1990s. In 1990, she moved to Toronto, later advancing to New York to study with Mike Renzi, and frequented Boston to perform with a jazz trio. Her debut album, "Stepping Out," was released in 1993 on the Canadian label Justin Time, marking the start of a successful recording career.
The 1990s and 2000s saw a succession of acclaimed albums that solidified her status in the jazz world:
Her 1999 album "When I Look in Your Eyes" was a groundbreaking achievement, becoming the first jazz recording in 25 years to be nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, winning her first Grammy. This success played a vital role in bringing jazz to a wider audience. In 2004, she ventured into original compositions with "The Girl in the Other Room."
Krall has collaborated with many distinguished artists, such as Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, and Barbra Streisand, and has amassed several accolades, including Grammy and Canadian Juno Awards.
In 2003, she married British musician Elvis Costello. This personal milestone coincided with a shift in her musical style, leading her to record and perform her own compositions.
Krall's extensive discography includes 15 studio albums, a live album, a compilation album, and numerous singles and collaborations. Her recent studio albums include:
Despite facing criticism from some jazz purists for aligning with popular culture, her extraordinary talent as a pianist and vocalist, along with her interpretation of classic jazz standards and exploration of diverse genres, firmly establishes her as a quintessential figure in modern jazz.
Krall remains a transformative influence in the jazz world, known for her evocative voice, masterful piano performances, and revitalization of classic jazz while innovatively traversing new musical horizons.
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