Costco Connection - November 2007

arts &
entertainment

Though she’s mainly a jazz artist, Diana Krall feels a deep connection with Canadian pop artists Sarah McLachlan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.

that personal. I was really open to him helping me do that which I couldn’t. I was working with Elvis Costello, you know? It worked really well. We worked at the piano in our cabin on Vancouver Island.

CC: I’ve read that when you were younger you were anxious to leave your hometown of Nanaimo, but now you enjoy being there?

DK: When you’re young you want to go see what else is out there in the world. Now I love being on Vancouver Island. Of all the places I’ve traveled, I still feel it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. Even though I love being in New York and big cities and living the wonderful life I live, I still need to go home and walk in the woods and be in the mountains.

Canada’s

queen of swing

An interview with Diana Krall

CC: Both of your parents played piano, didn’t they? Where and in what contexts did they play?

JAMES O’MARA

DK: Mother played piano in church and my father played jazz, an older style of jazz. I inherited a love of music from them. I got jazz from my dad and A Prairie Home Companion from my mom. I’m a big fan of Garrison Keillor. I grew up listening to A Prairie Home Companion and NPR and lots of radio shows in general. Radio is a big part of who I am. One of my favorite films is Radio Days.

By Will Fifield

JUS T AS IT’S TOUGH to explain what makes jazz such a beautiful art form, it’s hard to nail down exactly what works so well when Diana Krall sings and plays the piano. So many complicated musical elements come together fluidly in her stunning interpretations of jazz and pop standards.

Since Stepping Out, her 1993 debut album, Krall, who hails from Nanaimo, British Columbia, has been one of the freshest, most vibrant voices in jazz and popular music. She has earned two Grammy Awards and a Juno Award, Canada’s equivalent to a Grammy, as well as a host of devoted fans. Her 1999 album, When I Look into Your Eyes, was the first jazz album to be nominated for Best Album of the Year at the Grammys in more than 20 years. She’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful, having sold more than 8 million CDs and DVDs.

In addition to the demands of her burgeoning career, Krall married British rock musician Elvis Costello in 2003 and last December became the mother of twin boys, Dexter Henry Lorcan and Frank Harlan James.

The Costco Connection recently caught up with Krall to discuss her career and life.

The Costco Connection: How has parenthood affected your career?

Diana Krall: When you become a parent, your priorities change. You don’t have time for a lot of [distractions]. I’m in the best time in my whole life now. I enjoy my babies and my husband. They are the important thing now.

CC: Since you and Elvis are both very active in your careers, how do you balance family life with work?

DK: It’s really hard. We both understand what it takes to do what we do for a living and we give each other that room. We travel together as a family when we can, but there’s also a reason for our work. It’s not like we’re asking ourselves, “What am I doing this for? So I can go to the next hotel room?” Now [I work] so I can have something to give to my children. I’ve always enjoyed my work, but having children and family make it even more rewarding.

CC: On your 2004 recording, The Girl in the Other Room, you co-wrote original material with your husband. Since writing is somewhat new for you, was it a difficult process?

DK: No. I had written before, but nothing

CC: You are an accomplished pianist. Do you ever wish you were simply playing as a support musician instead of being a bandleader?

DK: I do. I support the girl singer in our band [herself]. Sometimes I’m not happy with the piano player [also herself] and sometimes I’m not happy with the singer. [Laughs]. So I get the best of both worlds.

CC: Is there something you’ve wanted to do in your career that you haven’t done yet?

DK: I’d love to do voiceovers. I’d love to do a voiceover like Peggy Lee did with Lady and the Tramp. I’d love to be the voice of a really great character for an animated children’s film. C