Diana Panton's sweet new album Soft Winds and Roses is out today!

Diana Panton's beautifully recorded Soft Winds and Roses album is available digitally via your platform of choice right here. 

Diana Panton's new album Soft Winds and Roses out October 25

Jazz singer Diana Panton cut versions of modern pop classics with longtime pals Don Thompson & Reg Schwager. Pre-order it here. 

JAZZ VOCALIST DIANA PANTON 

SHOWCASES MODERN CLASSICS FROM THE '60s ONWARD

WITH HER ELEVENTH ALBUM

Soft Winds and Roses (out October 25)

“What makes Panton special is that she’s herself. You feel her relaxed personality throughout, and the quality of her voice is remarkable … a voice that’s as gentle as a doe but smart as a fox. Bravo!” – Marc Myers, JazzWax 

“Her vocal style combines a light, buoyant lilt with immaculate phrasing, an authoritative delivery, and a convincing ability to portray the emotions of the lyrics’ protagonists.” – Bobby Reed, DownBeat

HAMILTON, ONTARIO – With a career spanning nearly two decades, two-time JUNO Award winner Diana Panton has established herself as one of the brightest lights on the international jazz scene, praised by listeners, musicians, and critics alike for her ethereal vocals, exceptional song selection, and emotive nuance. Diana is pleased to announce the October 25 release of her eleventh album, soft winds and roses.

A departure from Diana Panton’s more recent albums, soft winds and roses features modern classics composed from the 1960s onward, including songs by Lennon and McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Gordon Lightfoot, Don McLean, Ron Sexsmith, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, and more. Diana’s signature sound, which Jazz Times called “arrestingly beautiful,” makes every song her own, and the feather-light intimacy of each track is so direct that the lyrics feel like a secret passed between Diana and her listener. The album’s arc follows a relationship, beginning shyly with hard-to-declare feelings, continuing through a deeply emotional connection, and finally separating, with lingering traces of love. 

Why songs from the ‘60s onward?  Diana Panton explains, “Through the years, I have recorded several compilations for the Asian market, and I was often asked to include a bonus track that was a bit more contemporary and well-known in that market than some of my more obscure song choices. Fast forward to the present: I decided to assemble a selection of modern standards composed from the 1960s onward. It was a fun challenge to bring our trio’s distinctive sound to these modern classics, mixing well-known songs, like Elton John's 'This is Your Song' alongside some new jazz standards such as Fred Hersch's 'A Wish (Valentine).'"

On soft winds and roses, Diana Panton’s evocative vocals are backed by the artistry of two longtime musical colleagues – both former members of George Shearing’s ensemble – who have made significant contributions to the beauty and passion of Diana’s previous albums: pianist/vibraphonist/bassist/arranger Don Thompson (Officer of the Order of Canada) and guitarist Reg Schwager (Member of the Order of Canada). The minimalist instrumentation on soft winds and roses enhances the raw emotion of Diana's vocals. Thompson plays as though he is in conversation with Diana, hanging on her every word, sensing her every breath, and responding in kind. Schwager dazzles with shimmering runs, yet is always understated, playing in full support of the lyric.

ABOUT DIANA PANTON

In command of a keen aesthetic sense, Diana Panton has attracted the attention of some of the jazz world’s most respected masters.  When legendary multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson first heard the nineteen-year-old Diana sing, he enthusiastically urged her to audition for the renowned Banff Centre for the Arts Jazz Workshop. It was there that she studied under Norma Winstone, and, in subsequent visits, with Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton.  When the time arrived for her to go into the recording studio, award-winning guitarist Reg Schwager was invited to join Don Thompson in laying down a collaborative sound that has proved to be, on all of her albums, the perfect setting for the delicate nuance of Diana’s pure vocals. The late, great jazz critic Len Dobin called the product of that first session, …yesterday perhaps, one of the finest debut albums he had heard in years. 

Since the release of that first album in 2005, Diana Panton’s career has gathered astounding momentum, drawing international acclaim for her ten albums and the impressive variety and consistent quality of her catalogue of songs. The numerous honours garnered include JUNO Awards for RED in 2015 and I Believe in Little Things in 2017, three Silver Disc Awards in Japan, eight JUNO nominations, nine Hamilton Music Awards, and a host of National Jazz Award nominations and Canadian and American independent music award nominations. I Believe in Little Things charted simultaneously on Billboard’s Jazz and Children’s Music charts and went to #1 on Amazon’s “Movers and Shakers” chart, following an interview on NPR. The album received a four-star review in DownBeat magazine and was one of their Best Albums of 2016. Diana’s albums have also made the year-end lists of ICI Musique, NOW Magazine, Jazz Critique Magazine, The Montreal Mirror, The Ottawa Citizen, HiFi Trends, and DownBeat, among others, and, in addition to reaching #1 on Amazon and iTunes in Canada and the US, have made bestseller lists in Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.

LINKS
Broadway World Diana Panton to release 11th album, "Soft Winds and Roses"

Happy Birthday Reg Schwager!

Celebrating the birthday of guitarist Reg Schwager with his tasteful support of Diana Panton with Don Thompson. 

Watch Sheila Jordan live at Mezzrow Jazz Club

Toasting jazz singer extraordinaire Sheila Jordan on her 95th birthday with a recent performance backed by Alan Broadbent. 

Here's Sheila Jordan celebrating 95 with her birthday cake. 

Listen to Diana Panton sing "They Say It's Spring"

Well, they say it's spring today, so here's Diana Panton reprising the Blossom Dearie classic followed by Blossom's 1958 version.

R.I.P. Canadian trumpet titan Guido Basso, 1937-2023

Sadly, versatile trumpeter Guido Basso – who recorded with the Boss Brass, Jackie Mittoo, Lee Gagnon and Diana Panton – has passed away at the age of 85.

Diana Panton receives vocal jazz Juno nomination for 'Blue'

Cheers to Hamilton's Diana Panton whose independently released 'Blue' is up for the Juno in the Vocal Jazz Album category. 

Find out more about Diana Panton and her latest album 'Blue' from her site right here.

Listen to a Diana Panton Trio session with Don Thompson & Reg Schwager

Since it's Don's birthday today, here's a 'Fan's Choice' live session with the fab Diana Panton Trio worth checking. 

Deep in "Winter Weather" with Diana Panton

Here's Hamilton's own fab Diana Panton singing "Winter Weather" off her Christmas Kiss album. 

Watch Diana Panton's animated video for "Nobody's Heart"

Check out the charming clip for "Nobody's Heart" by Diana Panton off her new album 'blue' out October 28.

Credits...

Vocalist: Diana Panton

Guitarist: Reg Schwager

Songwriters: Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart

Engineer: Chad Irschick/Inception Sound Studios

Illustrator: Mariel Ashlinn Kelly

Animation: François Aubry

Producer: Jennifer Aubry

Produced by Leading Pictures Inc.

We gratefully acknowledge support from Hamilton's City Enrichment Fund towards the creation of this work.

Diana Panton announces release of her 10th album 'blue' on October 28th

Hamilton-based jazz vocal stylist Diana Panton's 'blue' completes the three-album narrative arc that began with 2009's pink.

Writes Diana...

"After three years of powering through pandemic constraints, I'm sooo pleased to announce the release of our 10th album, blue, on October 28th.

"blue is the final instalment in the trilogy which began with pink and later RED.  

"Don Thompson wrote exquisite arrangements to showcase spectacular playing by Phil Dwyer, Reg Schwager, Jim Vivian and The Penderecki Quartet.  Of course, Don is exemplary in his piano-playing as well.  Sonic superiority delivered by master engineer Chad Irschick at Inception Sound Studios.

"Lovely album photos care of Jose Crespo.

"I hope you are as excited about hearing this new music as we are to present it to you.

"A sincere thanks in advance for your continued support of our musical endeavours,"

Diana

You can get a digital version of blue from your favourite platform right here: https://lnk.to/DPblue with a hard copy version available on October 28th. Further details about 'blue' will soon be posted on Diana Panton's site: https://www.dianapanton.com. 

For more on Diana Panton's 'blue' album, read Michael Major's article for Broadway World right here. 

Check out the audio clip for "The Trouble With Hello Is Goodbye" followed by Diana's "Love Songs" instalment from her Live Studio Concert Series with Reg Schwager and Don Thompson. 

 

 

Happy Birthday Diana Panton!

Celebrating the birthday of fabulous Canadian jazz singer Diana Panton with a live trio session tonight at 7pm. See link below. 

Here's the backstory on Diana's Live in Session Concert Series:

Last March was the last time our trio had the opportunity to play together. It was mere days before I was scheduled to board a plane for the JUNOs in Saskatoon (Reg too) and then on to Paris for March Break, but co-vid had other plans...

We had hoped to record a new album in August 2019, but the loss of those dear, along with co-vid protocols, postponed that project. Since then, given my pandemic circumstances, there has been little music in my days until these sessions we present to you now.

Re-uniting with Reg and Don in this intimate setting gives you a glimpse into what our studio sessions are like (though granted a bit more nerve-wracking with the camera rolling). As per usual, there is little talking and a lot of focus. I am reminded how grateful and blessed I am to work with these two - whom I value both as musicians and human beings. I'm equally thankful for Chad at Inception Sound Studios for all that he does to help us sound our best and to Francois and Jennifer at Leading Pictures for documenting this reunion.

As an independent artist, I normally use revenue from gigs to help finance our upcoming recordings. Of course, this year has meant no performances. I know these have been tough times for so many. As such, we hope these free concerts bring some smiles and solace. If you value the music we create and if you have the means, your donation would be greatly appreciated. Funds raised will help us record our new album this August. For those interested, here's the link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/dianapanton

Most importantly, thank you for lending your ears and your hearts to these musical offerings.

Musically,

Diana

Watch the Diana Panton Trio's Love Songs Session virtual concert followed by the previous Cheerful Session performance below. 

 

Diana Panton Trio live in session, Sunday

Diana Panton launches her Live in Session series with Reg Schwager & Don Thompson tonight at 7pm Eastern. Watch it below.

Here's the backstory on the upcoming Live in Session Concert Series:

Last March was the last time our trio had the opportunity to play together. It was mere days before I was scheduled to board a plane for the JUNOs in Saskatoon (Reg too) and then on to Paris for March Break, but co-vid had other plans...

We had hoped to record a new album in August 2019, but the loss of those dear, along with co-vid protocols, postponed that project. Since then, given my pandemic circumstances, there has been little music in my days until these sessions we present to you now.

Re-uniting with Reg and Don in this intimate setting gives you a glimpse into what our studio sessions are like (though granted a bit more nerve-wracking with the camera rolling). As per usual, there is little talking and a lot of focus. I am reminded how grateful and blessed I am to work with these two - whom I value both as musicians and human beings. I'm equally thankful for Chad at Inception Sound Studios for all that he does to help us sound our best and to Francois and Jennifer at Leading Pictures for documenting this reunion.

As an independent artist, I normally use revenue from gigs to help finance our upcoming recordings. Of course, this year has meant no performances. I know these have been tough times for so many. As such, we hope these free concerts bring some smiles and solace. If you value the music we create and if you have the means, your donation would be greatly appreciated. Funds raised will help us record our new album this August. For those interested, here's the link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/dianapanton

Most importantly, thank you for lending your ears and your hearts to these musical offerings. The first concert will premier this Sunday, 7 pm EDT. 

Musically,

Diana

View the Diana Panton Trio's performance below.

Jazz chanteuse Diana Panton stays in season with Solstice/Equinox

Diana Panton's gorgeous rendition of September In The Rain would likely enhance your impression of any sound system.

Brilliant Hamiton jazz singer Diana Panton wins another Juno!

It's going to be even harder for Diana to keep her music career secret after I Believe In Little Things took the children's album Juno.

Steeltown's Diana Panton takes Vocal Jazz Album award at Junos in Hamilton... finally!

After 4 nominations, the stellar jazz vocalist received a Juno for her Red album and was asked about her dress.

Hamilton aces could be David Byrne's trump cards at Meltdown 2015

From the moment David Byrne was announced as the curator of Meltdown 2015, there has been wide-ranging speculation about which artists the Talking Heads founder will feature at London's prestigious week-long arts festival taking place at the Southbank Centre from August 17 to 28.

While some seem to think the multi-disciplinary explorer will play it safe by flipping through his rolodex to select a few reliable collaborators from a hefty file that includes Brian Eno, Arcade Fire, Caetano Veloso, St. Vincent, Fatboy Slim, Dirty Projectors, Paul Simon and others, Byrne is far too wary about his programming being perceived as predictable not to try throwing in at least a few wild cards.

It's a safe bet that William Onyeabor is near the top of Byrne's wish list. But knowing that the enigmatic Nigerian Afro-disco legend has never performed his music in public – even before becoming a born-again Christian – the notion of convincing Onyeabor to make his stage debut at Meltdown seems like a long shot. Also an exceedingly remote possibility is a Talking Heads reunion. We all know that loads of people would love to see a top to bottom reprise of Talking Heads '77 – echoing Patti Smith's triumphant tear through Horses at Meltdown 2005 – but Byrne has never shown much interest in retracing his steps. Even if the group's impending 40th anniversary (they first opened for The Ramones at CBGBs on June 20, 1975) makes the timing look right, the long-standing issues between Byrne and "The Heads" cast serious doubt on any jovial stroll through the oldies for Meltdown.

Perhaps the one move that no one is anticipating is for Byrne to salute his boyhood home of Hamilton, Ontario by selecting a slate of artists from the Steel City and surrounding area. However unlikely, the "Hammer Homage" concept could significantly bolster Byrne's carefully cultivated rep as a visionary talent spotter while giving some overseas exposure to Hamilton's finest. Here are a few suggestions:  

Iconic Hamilton space-rock blasters Simply Saucer would add a devastating wallop to any Meltdown line-up like few participants have done before. Check out what Edgar Breau and crew were doing with aspiring local producers Daniel and Bob Lanois back in 1974. And yes, they've still got it.


Reckless punk upstarts The Dirty Nil could be counted on to shake the sit-down crowd at the artsy extravaganza out of their seats. Here's a recent live clip which ends abruptly when the cameraman gets knocked over in the mosh pit.


Juno-nominated jazz chanteuse Diana Panton would add a quiet elegance to the proceedings with a repertoire that ranges from deftly delivered American songbook standards and French chanson gems to Brazilian classics. Check out her sweet sweep through Samba Saravah off To Brazil With Love.


Of course, you'd need a bit of marquee magic to sell some advance tickets and that's where Grant Avenue ace Daniel Lanois and Dundas overachiever Dan "Caribou" Snaith come in. Meltdown would provide Lanois with the right environment for the atmospheric sounds of his Flesh and Machine album (see below) and give Snaith the perfect platform to undertake a larger orchestral production.

Diana Panton launches To Brazil With Love @ Glenn Gould Studio tonight

Samba Saravah

LINKS
site http://www.dianapanton.com/
stream four songs from To Brazil With Love
show http://www.cbc.ca/glenngould/2011/08/diana-panton.html
 

Diana Panton meets Glenn Gould

It's long overdue, but Toronto jazz fans will finally get to hear what Diana Panton sounds like in a venue built with acoustics in mind when Canada's finest vocal talent makes her Glenn Gould Studio debut tonight.
As always, the well-prepared stylist is selecting the evening's repertoire based on the space, her accompanists, the audience and what she's been working on lately. Since she'll be joined by her recording/performing sidemen of choice – esteemed bassist/pianist Don Thompson and equally tasteful guitarist Reg Schwager – and she won't have to compete with clinking silverware and wine glasses, expect Panton to feature an intimate selection from Pink (www.dianapanton.com) her fabulous recent set of songs based loosely on the theme of new love.
With spring in the air, I can't imagine a better time and place to revel in the purity and richness of Panton's remarkable pipes than the Glenn Gould Studio (250 Front West) tonight (Saturday, May 1) at 8 pm. Admission is $29.50 and while there are apparently a couple of seats still available online, considering the venue's capacity is listed as 341, they won't last long. Panton's all-too-rare Toronto performances have been awesome but this show promises to be the topper – don't miss it.


LINKS
Diana Panton www.dianapanton.com
Don Thompson www.myspace.com/donthompsonjazz
Reg Schwager www.regschwager.com
Glenn Gould Studio www.cbc.ca/glenngould