Diana Panton’s vocal performance has a magical effect on her audience. It doesn’t matter if she is performing at jazz festivals in Juan-les-Pins, Montreux, or Hamilton. A quiet hush descends on the audience, as they wait for “little masterpieces” to be created. (Hugh Fraser Hamilton Spectator). Canada’s most promising jazz singer, Diana Panton. Some of the most revered jazz masters have been drawn to her aesthetic sensibility. When legendary Canadian multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson first heard Panton sing at age 19, he recommended she audition for the reputed jazz workshop at the Banff Center for the Arts (Canada). She studied with Norma Winstone, Jay Clayton, and Sheila Jordan. She was invited to perform at the “Blue Room” with Thompson while she was at Banff. Thompson stated, “She really knocked my socks out that night.” She was young, but she had so much depth and real feeling. It was a surprise to me immediately.” Thompson informed Panton that she would contact Thompson when Thompson was ready to record an album. It was almost a decade later that she did! Panton completed her honours masters in French literature before recording her first album. She also held a teaching position at the University of Paris (France) and a position at McMaster University (Canada). After that, she earned a teaching degree. She also performed and produced a number sold-out concerts alongside emerging jazz prodigy David Braid. Nationally-awarded guitarist Reg Schwager was invited by Don Thompson to play backing vocals behind Panton’s pure voice. Len Dobbin, a great Montreal jazz critic, called “yesterday” one of the best debut CDs he’d ever heard. The album was named one of the TOP 10 Discs by the Year by Toronto’s NOW magazine. Her second album, “If the moon turns green”, was nominated for Hamilton Music Awards, Juno, and National Jazz Awards. This thematic album is about the moon, stars, and other themes. Diana was one of four jazz singers chosen to perform at the prestigious Jazz a Juan Revelations in Juan-les-Pins, France. She was also voted Premiere Dauphine for the Juan public. Pink, Diana’s third album is a narrative-concept album that explores the turns and turns of new romance. The album features excellent accompaniment from Reg Schwager, Don Thompson, and a highlight performance by Guido Basso, Canada’s top horn player. Japan’s Jazz Critique Magazine awarded the album a Silver Disc Award in 2010 for Best Vocal Recording. It was also nominated for the Favourite Jazz Artist award at the 2010 Canadian Independent Music Awards. It was nominated for three Hamilton Music Awards, including Best Female Vocalist and Jazz Album Of The Year. To Brazil with Love, Diana’s new album, is a tribute the Brazilian samba/bossa nova traditions. This album has some of the most innovative instrumentation. Silas Silva and Maninho Costa add Brazilian rhythms to the drums and percussion. Bill McBirnie and Kiki Misumi add colour and texture with their cellos and flutes. Don and Reg continue to be the core of the trio, providing excellent accompaniment and soloing throughout. “Music lovers who have a special place in their music library to store their favourite albums will be able to count Diana Panton’s fourth album among them.” KazutomiAoki, Japan’s CD Journal bio at www.dianapanton.com
