Biography
Melody Diachun, a Canadian vocalist known for her innovative and soulful expression, has recently won the prestigious Jazz Artist of the Year award at the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards. This marks another achievement in her illustrious career, which has been punctuated by acclaim and nominations over the years.
Melody's latest album, "SUMNER'S TALES: The Music Of Sting," showcases her artistic depth and versatility. In this album, Melody, accompanied by a talented ensemble, performs an immersive and bold exploration of Sting's catalogue, breathing new life into the iconic songwriter's melodies. The album was recorded live-off-the-floor and captures the essence of Sting's music, with two songs mixed by Grammy Award-winning producer Greg Wells.
Melody's group features David Restivo on piano, Michael Occhipinti on guitar, guitar loops, and ambient effects, Doug Stephenson on acoustic bass, and Tony Ferraro on drums. Together, they explore and expose new layers of depth and meaning in inspired arrangements, soundscapes, and grooves that run the gamut from lush to bombastic.
Melody's impressive musical prowess extends beyond her recent triumph. Her 2018 release, "Get Back to the Groove," peaked at #9 on !earshot's National Jazz Charts. This collection of five sultry and bluesy songs showcases Melody's talent and ability to effortlessly traverse between her own compositions and those of others. As Raul da Gama of Toronto Music Report aptly puts it, Melody lays out the case for her "formidable and alluring talent."
Awards and honours punctuate Melody's career, including her recent Western Canadian Music Awards victory and previous wins such as the Outstanding Jazz Recording of The Year at the 2008 Western Canadian Music Awards for her collaboration with Altered Laws on "Metaphora." Noteworthy nominations include a JUNO nomination for "Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year" in 2008, a National Jazz Awards nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2009, and multiple nominations at the Kootenay Music Awards in 2018 and 2019.
Melody's artistry has drawn praise from industry insiders and critics alike. John Devenish of Toronto’s JAZZ.FM91 describes her palette as "richly deep," reflecting her love for music. Raul da Gama, in Toronto Music Report, affirms that “she is–and will always be–a force to reckon with in contemporary vocal music." Lavender Sutton, of Rhythm Changes, commends her voice for its clarity and richness, stating that it suits the collection of songs on “Sumner’s Tales” beautifully.
Darryl Sterdan, from Tinnitist, describes Melody's take on Sting's classic “Fields Of Gold” as a "seductive stroll.” Additional praise for her singing comes from renowned jazz pianist and author Kenny Werner, who said, "She has perfect phrasing! It's scary," and from Joseph Blake at the Times Colonist, who hailed her as "a jazz singer of the first order."
Melody's musical journey began in Montreal and took her through Nova Scotia, New York City, Banff, and Vancouver before finding its poetic home in Nelson, British Columbia. Her impact on the British Columbia music scene is not only as a performer but also as a respected faculty member at Selkirk College, where she was an instructor for ten years, and now is the School Chair of the School of the Arts.
As Melody Diachun continues to evolve and explore new sonic territories, her music remains a testament to her unwavering dedication, artistic depth, and the seamless fusion of jazz and contemporary influences. Whether interpreting Sting's timeless classics or crafting her own compositions, Melody's voice is a captivating force that transcends genres and invites listeners on a captivating journey through the vast landscapes of her musical imagination.
Accolades
*NEW* WINNER: Western Canadian Music Awards "Jazz Artist of The Year”, 2023.
TOP 20: "Get Back to the Groove", Top 20 on the !earshot National Jazz Chart for the months of July/August 2018
TOP TEN: "Get Back to the Groove" charted #9 on the !earshot National Jazz Chart week of July 17, 2018
NOMINEE: Kootenay Music Awards “Artist of The Year”, 2018 and 2019; “Best Blues Song”, 2018; “Best R&B Song”, "Best Pop Song”, 2019
NOMINEE: Canadian National Jazz Awards “Female Vocalist of the Year”, 2009
WINNER: Western Canadian Music Awards’ "Outstanding Jazz Recording of The Year”, Altered Laws' “Metaphora”, 2008
NOMINEE: JUNO “Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year,” Altered Laws' “Metaphora”, 2008
Band Bios
DAVID RESTIVO is one of Canada's most respected and influential jazz artists. He is a three-time winner of the National Jazz Awards' Pianist of the Year Award and is well known for his work with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass, Mike Murley, and legendary songwriter Marc Jordan. He received a JUNO Award for his work on the 2001 recording The Rob McConnell Tentet (Justin Time), and his album "Arancia" (Chronograph Records) was nominated for Jazz Group of the Year at the 2022 JUNOs.
MICHAEL OCCHIPINTI is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, R&B/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds.
In addition to his previous JUNO Award and 8 JUNO nominations, Michael recently won the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar; Michael and Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) were nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year. Michael leads several acclaimed groups, including The Sicilian Project, IN ORBIT with Jeff Coffin on saxophone and Felix Pastorius on bass, Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon, and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO.
DOUG STEPHENSON has been an integral member of Western Canada's music community for over thirty years. The Calgary native is a bassist, guitarist, composer, producer, and mixing engineer. He has performed with artists such as Charlie Rouse, Les McCann, Bob Murphy, Jay Thomas, John Stowell, Tommy Banks, P.J. Perry, Altered Laws, Campbell Ryga, and Blues legend Big Miller.
TONY FERRARO is a diverse, musical drummer who is at home in many different genres. After being named Percussionist of the Year at Toronto’s Humber College, he studied with some of the most accomplished drummers in the world, including Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, and Horacio Hernandez. Forever a self-proclaimed student of the drum set, Tony is an exciting player, always bringing his passion and intensity to the music he is performing.
"She is–and always will be–a force to reckon with in contemporary vocal music." - Toronto Music Report