Vancouver’s Melody Diachun at the Cellar

Canadian jazz live

Valentine’s with jazz vocalist Melody Diachun

Vancouver jazz/pop vocalist and composer Melody Diachun is slated to perform a special Valentine’s concert at Cellar Jazz on Wednesday, Feb. 14th. Joining the vocalist for the performance is saxophonist Cory Weeds, Tilden Webb (Fender Rhodes), Doug Stephenson (bass), and drummer Ray Garraway.

Born in Montreal, Melody’s formal education in music began with piano lessons at age 6. A year later she made her debut as a singer, performing in variety shows and on radio. Active in the school band program, she learned to play electric bass and French horn and sang with the jazz band. At age 15 she took her first professional singing gig in which she performed in a weekly variety show at Annapolis Royal’s historic King’s Theatre. At graduation she received several scholarships and awards for her involvement in music.

Diachun attended McGilll University at age 17, as the first vocalist admitted to the school’s Jazz Performance Program in which she earned her Bachelor of Music degree (”with distinction” in Jazz Voice). She became an active member of the city’s jazz community, eventually leading her own bands. In the mid-90’s she was awarded a Canada Council for the Arts study grant and moved to New York City to work on composition, study with Sheila Jordan, and soak up the music of the local scene.

Melody now lives in Vancouver with her husband guitarist/bassist Doug Stephenson. In addition to performing in the city’s best venues, the two own and operate a recording studio, Third Beach Productions, in which they produce a variety of projects.

Praised for her exquisite phrasing, warm sound and understated approach, she is becoming known as one of Canada’s best emerging jazz artists.

Wednesday, Feb. 14
Melody Diachun (vocal)
Cory Weeds (saxophones), Tilden Webb (Fender Rhodes), Doug Stephenson (bass), Ray Garroway (drums)
Cellar Jazz / Vancouver