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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 BIO - 250 WORDS
Experience the Bold Artistry of Melody Diachun's SUMNER'S TALES: The Music of Sting
Celebrated Canadian vocalist Melody Diachun has reached new heights winning the Jazz Artist of the Year award at the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards. Her latest offering, SUMNER'S TALES: The Music of Sting, is a standout undertaking for jazz enthusiasts and fans of Sting and The Police.
With a National Jazz Awards nomination for Vocalist of the Year and five albums as leader, Melody is “a force to reckon with in contemporary vocal music.” (Toronto Music Report) She has gathered a quartet of exceptional musicians for this project: 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” (Tinnitist) with inspired arrangements, soundscapes, and grooves that run the gamut from lush to bombastic.
Born Gordon Sumner, Sting is one of the greatest living songwriters, both in his solo career and with the post-punk reggae rock band, The Police. Melody embraces the call to interpret the music of the legendary songwriter, exploring both well-loved hits and hidden gems. Her heartfelt dedication to the music is evident in every note, singing with "soulful confidence, exquisite phrasing, and sense of time." (All About Jazz)
Melody Diachun and her extraordinary band promise an experience that will linger in the hearts of audiences, where creativity meets everlasting masterpieces in a bold fusion of musical expression.
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
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