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I Burn For You 4:570:00/4:57
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Fragile 5:190:00/5:19
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Fields Of Gold 6:240:00/6:24
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Walking On The Moon 4:500:00/4:50
BIOS
MELODY DIACHUN • Full Bio
Melody Diachun, a Canadian vocalist renowned for her innovative and soulful expression, recently won the prestigious Jazz Artist of the Year award at the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMAs). Awards and honours punctuate Melody's career, including her recent WCMA victory and previous wins such as the Outstanding Jazz Recording of the Year at the 2008 WCMAs 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.
Melody's latest album, "Sumner’s Tales: The Music Of Sting," showcases her artistic depth and versatility. In this album, she performs an immersive and bold exploration of Sting's catalogue, breathing new life into the iconic songwriter's melodies. “Sumner’s Tales” also features David Restivo on piano, Michael Occhipinti on guitar, guitar loops, and ambient effects, Tony Ferraro on drums, and Melody’s husband and co-producer Doug Stephenson on acoustic bass. Together, they uncover new layers of depth and meaning through inspired arrangements, soundscapes, and grooves that range from lush to bombastic. The album was recorded live-off-the-floor in Vancouver’s Monarch Studios and mixed by Doug Stephenson, with two songs mixed by Grammy Award-winning producer Greg Wells.
Melody's impressive musical prowess extends beyond her recent triumphs. Her 2018 release, "Get Back to the Groove," peaked at #9 on !earshot's National Jazz Charts. This collection of five bluesy songs showcases Melody's talent and her ability to effortlessly traverse between her own compositions and those of others. Raul da Gama of Toronto Music Report aptly describes Melody as laying out the case for her "formidable and alluring talent."
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 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 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 extends beyond her performances; she is also a respected faculty member at Selkirk College, where she taught for ten years, and now serves as the School Chair of the School of the Arts.
QUOTES
"Diachun’s palette is richly deep. She takes jazz out to play. She loves music. You can tell. She loves this music, and its spirit loves her right back. While at play, the two are hand in hand and willfully bound by heart and soul." – John Devenish, JAZZ.FM91
“She is – and will always be – a force to reckon with in contemporary vocal music.” – Raul da Gama, Toronto Music Report
"The album begins with a driving rhythmic line in "King of Pain" and the clarity and richness of Diachun’s voice. Diachun’s voice suits the collection of songs beautifully (…) holding dedication and love for the music. A stellar undertaking, well worth checking out, Sting fan or not." - Lavender Sutton, Rhythm Changes
“The Canadian jazz singer takes Sting's wistful classic in a bold new direction. Melody Diachun goes on a seductive stroll through Sting’s wistful Fields Of Gold in her gorgeous new single. Takes you on a sweet sonic journey in a rich sonic landscape. (…) Together, they explore and expose new layers of depth and meaning in Sting’s soothing, Celtic-tinged 1993 classic.” – Darryl Sterdan, Tinnitist
“A jazz singer of the first order." – Joseph Blake, Times Colonist
"Melody Diachun lays down a bluesy groove, capturing the funk of the ’70s and the jazz cool of the ’60s at the same time." – Mark Anthony Brennan, Ride the Tempo music blog
“She is – and will always be – a force to reckon with in contemporary vocal music. On the sultry, bluesy music of Get Back to the Groove Miss Diachun lays out the case for her formidable and alluring talent in just five short songs.” – Raul da Gama, Toronto Music Report
"'Sensual' is the word! . . . Melody flows effortlessly between her own compositions and those of others." – Katie Malloch, former CBC host
“Original material that catches the ear . . . Diachun has a warm, accomplished voice which shows a formidable range.” – Marke Andrews, The Vancouver Sun
“Unembroidered, pitch-perfect voice.” – Malcolm Parry, Vancouver Sun
“She has perfect phrasing! It’s scary.” – Kenny Werner, jazz pianist & author
“Melody Diachun has a voice that might best be described as friendly, warm and inviting. . . . An emerging voice in Canadian jazz. . . . It's a voice easily capable of entrancing the listener. Not overpowering, it has that friendliness that makes listening a relaxing, joyous occasion.” – Calvin Daniels, Yorkton This Week
"A vocalist fast becoming one of the music's more daring chanteuses . . . this record simmers with emotion almost like a slow burn as the singer continues to showcase exquisite intonation, phrasing and sense of time. . . . Melody Diachun has negotiated her way through this record with soulful confidence and gives notice that her vocal prowess is on the rise and is easy to be mesmerized by." – Raul d’Gama Rose, All About Jazz
“Vancouver-based Melody Diachun is another fine singer-songwriter with a strong new disc. . . . An appealing mix of funked up jazz and folk . . . Diachun’s controlled, sometimes breathy, centered sound is a perfect foil for the interplay between the other musicians . . . and it all adds up to a tight, cohesive whole.” – Cathy Riches, WholeNote Magazine
"Melody Diachun teams up with a stellar lineup of fellow Vancouverites . . . playing a repertoire of smart, original songs and clever jazz renditions of modern pop songs. . . . Retro-recorded direct to two-inch tape, the studio sound is warm and funky. Diachun's nuanced readings ride the band's hip, updated fusion, and her understated approach and subtle phrasing mark her as a jazz singer of the first order." – Joseph Blake, Times Colonist
“Diachun has a warm and expressive voice, her long notes are wonderful and she is expert at placing notes.” – Scott Yannow, All Music Guide
“Diachun's penchant for selecting and writing adventurous tunes keeps it interesting. . . . All show remarkable vocal dexterity, with Diachun able to toy with the lyrics in a patient manner.” – George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
"Vancouver vocalist Melody Diachun straddles pop and jazz forms on EQ, which showcases her songwriting skills on five of the 10 tracks. . . . Diachun’s clear–voiced delivery and adherence to straight melody lines are more Sarah McLachlan than Sarah Vaughan, with the jazz approach coming from her backing quartet . . . Diachun performs fine covers of Paul Simon’s Still Crazy, Joni Mitchell’s Free Man in Paris and Radiohead’s High and Dry, where she shows her considerable range." – Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun
RECENT LIVE SHOWS, SUMNER'S TALES REPERTOIRE
Jazz at The 'Bolt, Burnaby, BC, 02/2
Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival, Kaslo, BC, 08/23
Vernon Jazz Club, Vernon, BC 01/23
The Dream Café, Penticton, BC, 01/23
Selkirk Pro-Music Concert Series, Nelson, BC 01/23
Centre 64, Kimberly, BC 04/22
Jazz at the Griff, Trail, BC 02/20