Diana Krall: The Jazz Piano Virtuoso

Diana Krall is a Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist whose sophisticated style has made her one of the best-selling jazz artists of her generation. Hailing from Nanaimo, British Columbia, her 1999 album When I Look in Your Eyes achieved a rare feat for a jazz record, earning a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year and achieving multi-platinum status.

Early career

Born in 1964, Krall began studying piano as a child and was deeply influenced by her father's extensive record collection. Her professional journey accelerated after studying at the Berklee College of Music and later receiving crucial mentorship from bassist Ray Brown, which led to her self-titled debut album on the Justin Time label in 1993.

Breakthrough

Krall's major commercial and critical breakthrough arrived with the 1999 Verve Records release When I Look in Your Eyes. The album spent an impressive 52 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, was certified platinum, and won Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

Key tracks

The Look of Love — The title track from her 2001 album, this Burt Bacharach cover became a signature song and topped the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart for multiple weeks.

Peel Me a Grape — This witty, bluesy number from her 1997 album Love Scenes perfectly showcases her sassy, playful vocal delivery and tight trio interplay.

Fly Me to the Moon — Her swinging, intimate take on this standard from All for You (1996) solidified her reputation as a masterful interpreter of the Great American Songbook.

Narrow Daylight — A poignant original co-written with Elvis Costello from the 2004 album The Girl in the Other Room, marking a significant turn toward personal songwriting.

Following her breakthrough, Krall continued to release a string of successful albums for Verve, including the platinum-selling Christmas record Christmas Songs (2005) and the orchestral collaboration Quiet Nights (2009). Her collaborations are extensive, working with legends like Tony Bennett, Paul McCartney, and notably marrying and co-writing with singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. Her later work, including 2015's Wallflower which ventured into pop classics, and 2020's orchestral live album This Dream of You, demonstrates her enduring appeal and artistic curiosity.

Fans of Diana Krall's elegant piano jazz and vocal style should also explore Michael Bublé, another Canadian performer who brings a contemporary swing to classic standards. The sophisticated trio work of Norah Jones shares a similar blend of jazz intimacy and crossover appeal. Listen to Madeleine Peyroux for another distinctive vocal take on the jazz and blues tradition. For more instrumental-focused piano jazz, explore the work of Brad Mehldau.

The smooth, timeless sound of Diana Krall is a staple on sophisticated jazz radio stations and curated online music streams featured on our network. Her albums, from early trio recordings to lush orchestral works, receive regular airplay across various channels dedicated to classic and contemporary jazz music.

You can hear the music of Diana Krall featured regularly on the jazz and adult contemporary radio stations available through our website. Listeners can discover her extensive catalog and classic performances by tuning into the radio stations featured on onairium.com.