Diana Krall, Singer/Piano, 1964, British Columbia
Without a doubt, Diana Krall is the most popular singer/jazz pianist in the entertainment field today. Diana comes from a musical family. Both of parents played the piano, and her grandmother was a professional singer. Diana began to study classical piano at the age of four. She started playing jazz while in her high school band. Diana had her first gig at 15, playing three nites a week in a local restaurant. In 1981 she was awarded a scholarship from the VancouverJazz Festival that allowed her to study at the Berklee College of Music for 18 months. When Diana returned to British Columbia she befriended Jeff Hamilton and Ray Brown, both of whom encouraged her to move to Los Angeles. She was able to do this thanks to a grant by the Canadian Arts Council. This also allowed her to study with Jimmy Rowles. In 1983 Diana cut her first album, "Stepping Out". The next year she returned to Canada and studied with bassist-pianist Don Thompson. In 1990 she moved to New York and began performing there and in Boston. Diana once mentioned Carmen McRae as her model, but above all, Nat Cole was her main inspiration. By the early '90s her career was beginning to soar. Her record albums were selling well and her technique was developing rapidly. In 1997 she was nominated for a Grammy as best Jazz Vocal Performance. Today, Diana Krall performs world-wide to fans in every country. Diana's husband is rock star Elvis Costello whom she married several months ago.
Nick Travis, Trumpet, 1925, Philadelphia, PA
Nick came on the jazz scene in the early '40s, first with Vido Musso and then Woody Herman. During his military service he performed in Paris where he was stationed. He later worked with Ray McKinley, Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa. During the '50s Nick worked with many of the famous leaders; Tommy Dorsey, Tex Beneke, Jerry Gray, Bob Chester, Elliott Lawrence, and Jimmy Dorsey. He later became a staff musician at NBC in New York and he was active into the 1960s as a studio musician. During the mid '60s Travis performed with Gerry Mulligan and Thelonious Monk at concerts all over the East Coast. Nick was considered an excellent and versatile trumpeter, with a strong, clear tone. Nick Travis died in1964.
Al Lucas, Bass, 1916, Windsor, Canada
