More than 15 million albums sold worldwide cement Diana Krall as a prominent figure in contemporary jazz. Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, in 1964, she developed her skills through early training at The Royal Conservatory of Music before refining her craft at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, eventually becoming a globally recognized singer, pianist, and songwriter.
Early Development and Mentorship
The daughter of Adella and Jim Krall, she began piano studies at age four. By age 15, she was performing professionally in local venues. Her formative years were bolstered by a scholarship to Berklee, where she studied from 1981 to 1983. During the early 1980s, veteran bassist Ray Brown became a crucial mentor, introducing her to influential musicians and providing professional guidance that accelerated her integration into the jazz scene.
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Her professional recording career commenced with Stepping Out, released in 1993 on Justin Time Records. Success followed with producer Tommy LiPuma, who oversaw the 1995 release of Only Trust Your Heart. Her 1996 album, All for You, remained on Billboard jazz charts for 70 weeks. By the late 1990s, her work with orchestral arranger Johnny Mandel on When I Look in Your Eyes expanded her reach, leading to platinum status and widespread commercial recognition.
Versatility and Collaboration
Throughout her career, she has maintained a diverse collaborative portfolio, working with artists such as Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, and Paul McCartney. Her work ranges from bossa nova standards on the 2009 album Quiet Nights to the 1920s and 1930s jazz focus of Glad Rag Doll. She has also contributed to film soundtracks, including a featured recording for the 2001 motion picture The Score.
Honours and Sustained Activity
Her contributions to music and culture have been acknowledged through various distinctions, including the Order of British Columbia in 2000 and the Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005. She was also inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2004. She continues to record and tour, releasing This Dream of You in 2020 and maintaining a rigorous performance schedule well into 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 1964, Nanaimo, Canada
- Primary Occupations: Singer, pianist, songwriter
- Education: The Royal Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music
- Orders: Order of British Columbia (2000), Officer of the Order of Canada (2005)
- Career Milestone: Second-greatest jazz artist of the 2000-2009 decade per Billboard
- Albums Sold: Over 15 million worldwide
Questions readers ask
What is Diana Krall's vocal range?
She is known for her contralto vocals.
How many albums has she released that debuted at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart?
She is the only jazz singer to have achieved eight albums debuting at the top of that specific chart.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of Canada — 2005
- Order of British Columbia — 2000
- Instruments: piano, voice and musical keyboard
- Genres: jazz and smooth jazz