Discover Artists Who Joined The 11th IMAs: Diana Panton

HOMEBASE: Hamilton, Ontario. CANADA

DESCRIBE YOUR GENRE: Jazz

CATEGORY ENTERED: Jazz Album, Tribute Album, Love Song, Cover Song and Jazz Song

SONGS SUBMITTED: “Is it Really You?” And “I Love Him”

ALBUM SUBMITTED: To Brazil with Love

LABEL: Self-released

PLEASE LIST THE ARTISTS AND PRODUCER FEATURED ON THIS RELEASE:
Producer – Diana Panton
Co-producer – Don Thompson
Maninho Costa – vocals, drums and percussion
Bill McBirnie – flute
Kiki Misumi – cello
Reg Schwager – guitar
Silas Silva – drums and percussion
Don Thompson – bass, piano or vibraphone
Diana Panton – vocals

DESCRIBE YOUR LATEST RELEASE: A jazz tribute to the samba and bossa-nova rhythms of Brazil

DID YOU USE ANY UNUSUAL INTRUMENTS OR EFFECTS? Cello and Brazilian percussion

WERE THERE ANY ‘HAPPY ACCIDENTS’ IN THE STUDIO OR DID YOU RECORD IT AS PLANNED? Most of the songs were recorded in one or two takes with little planning.

HOW DID WAS THIS PROJECT FUNDED? DID FANS HELP? Independently funded.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO SUBMIT TO THE 11TH IMAS? Hopefully to expose our music to a wider audience.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE? The latest recording has the most ambitious instrumentation to date. It was fun working with Brazilian drummers and percussionists!

WHO IS SITTING IN YOUR AUDIENCE? WHAT MAKES YOUR FANS UNIQUE? People who like to feel, relax and imagine. Our fans appreciate subtlety and nuance.

HAVE YOU EVER HUNG OUT WITH ONE OF YOUR MUSICAL HEROES? WHAT’S THE STORY? I feel extremely blessed to be working with my musical heroes. The band is comprised of Canada’s top jazz musicians. Don Thompson and Guido Basso both have the Order of Canada – Canada’s highest recognition for cultural contribution.

ARE THERE ANY SONGS YOU WISH YOU WROTE? No, I am happy to sing other people’s songs or write my own.

WHAT ARTISTS ARE YOU LISTENING TO THAT WOULD SURPRISE YOUR FANS? Cecilia Bartoli, Alan Lomax recordings, Ron Sexsmith, Stevie Wonder

NAME SOME ARTISTS YOU ARE CHAMPIONING: Sheila Jordan

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM SHOW LINEUP? I already work with my dream team – honestly!

FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS… not something you can read in a book. You need to be open and alert for whatever comes your way.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR? A new recording to be released in the fall.

HOW CAN FANS FOLLOW YOU? WHERE IS YOUR MUSIC AVAILABLE? Please visit my website at www.dianapanton.com. Some CD titles are available on iTunes and Amazon.ca, but all albums can be ordered directly through my website www.dianapanton.com