Melody Diachun Quartet March 16, 2023

TDAC’s Jazz Series presents the Melody Diachun Quartet on Thursday March 16, 2023 @ 7:30 in the Muriel Griffiths Room.

Single tickets are $22. Or buy a 6-show Jazz at the Griff Series pass for $107. Passes available only by visiting or calling the box office 250-368-9669.

Jazz at the Griff series, presented by Trail & District Arts Council, brings you the MELODY DIACHUN QUARTET. Enjoy the jazz club vibe as you savour a glass of wine in a setting that is up close and personal.

Melody Diachun is a JUNO and National Jazz Award nominated vocalist and songwriter with her own sound, style, and approach to creating new music. Joining her in The Melody Diachun Quartet are award-winning pianist and composer David Restivo, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer Doug Stephenson, and celebrated drummer Tony Ferraro.

Born in Montreal and raised in Nova Scotia, Melody was the first vocalist admitted to McGill University’s Jazz Performance program and after graduating she studied with the great Sheila Jordan in New York City. Melody is known for her “soulful confidence, exquisite intonation, phrasing, and sense of time.” – All About Jazz, and was nominated ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2009 Canadian National Jazz Awards and ‘Artist of the Year’ at the Kootenay Music Awards in 2018 and 2019.

David Restivo is an award-winning pianist and composer. Born in Lansing, Michigan, and based primarily in Toronto, Canada since 1982, Restivo he is one of Canada’s most respected and influential jazz artists. A 3-time winner of the National Jazz Awards’ Pianist of the Year Award, and JUNO Award winner he is well known for his work with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass and Tentet, the Mike Murley Quintet, and legendary songwriter Marc Jordan. He has also performed and recorded with Dave Holland, Jon Hendricks, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, Jerry Bergonzi, Mel Tormé, John Pizarelli, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Pat LaBarbera, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, George Garzone, Howard Johnson, Ingrid Jensen, Christine Jensen, Kevin Mahogany, Randy Bachman (BTO/Guess Who), David Clayton Thomas, Molly Johnson, and many other outstanding artists.

Doug Stephenson has been an integral member of Western Canada’s music community for over thirty years. The Calgary native is a guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and producer. He has performed with a wide range of artists including Melody Diachun, Charlie Rouse, Bob Murphy, Les McCann, Jay Thomas, John Stowell, Tommy Banks, P.J. Perry, Altered Laws, Barry Romberg, Bob Brough, Campbell Ryga, and Blues legend Big Miller.

Tony Ferraro is a diverse, musical drummer that is at home with all styles of music. Whether playing rock with Juno Award winning Idle Eyes, Classic Canadian rockers Trooper, and The Spoons, or laying down the cultural grooves of Alpha Ya Ya Diallo, Elizabeth Shepherd, Michael Occhipinti, Melody Diachun, or Argentinian pianist Gabriel Palatchi, Tony is an exciting player to hear and to watch, always bringing his passion and intensity to the music he is performing.

Licensed Event. Seats for all Griff performances are general admission. Groups of 4 can reserve a table by contacting the Box Office in advance. Seats for Andrea Superstein’s performance in The Bailey Theatre are assigned seating. Single tickets for Jazz at the Griff shows can be purchased online at tickets.trail-arts.com or by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail. Jazz at The Griff Series Passes can ONLY be purchased by visiting or phone our box office 250-368-9669.

On-line ticket sales end 3 hours before show time (4:30 pm). When available, tickets can be purchased at the door.

Other shows in the Jazz at The Griff Series include:

TRIOLOGY: Thursday September 22 at 7:30 pm in The Griff – A supergroup of award-winning Canadian jazz musicians including Jodi Proznick on bass, Miles Black on piano and Bill Coon on guitar, fashioned after the great early jazz trios of Nat King Cole and Oscar Peterson. They will perform wonderful impromptu arrangements of classic standards and original tunes.

FRACTAL JAZZ -Thursday November 17 at 7:30 pm in The Griff – Fractal Jazz is a Kootenay-based instrumental jazz group playing standards, ballads, cookin’ bebop tunes and original compositions. With influences spanning multiple jazz styles, the band guarantees a unique musical experience with every performance. The band includes Daralyn Fox (trumpet), Mike Rud (guitar), Doug Stephenson (bass), and Steven Parish (drums).

RICK LINGARD QUARTET- Thursday January 12 at 7:30 pm in The Griff – The Rick Lingard Quartet features Rick Lingard as lead vocalist and saxophonist, Juno award-winner Mike Rud on guitar, Tony Ferraro on drums, and Doug Stephenson on bass. The band’s members have played with great artists both locally and internationally.

LAURA LANDSBERG QUINTET – Thursday February 9 at 7:30 pm in The Griff – “Come Fly with Me” as Laura and her group of world-class musicians offer up an evening of music from the great American songbook to re-imagined versions of contemporary songs, focusing on destinations worldwide. Laura’s vocal versatility will be supported by David Restivo on piano, Paul Landsberg on guitar, Rob Fahie on bass, and Steven Parish on drums.

ANDREA SUPERSTEIN: OH MOTHER – Thursday, May 18 at 7:30 pm in The Bailey Theatre – Andrea Superstein’s new show, OH MOTHER, is a multimedia tour de force inspired by real life stories of motherhood. Andrea’s powerful vocals are accompanied by breathtaking videos with heartfelt imagery.

The Jazz at the Griff series is made possible thanks to funding from McEwan Law, BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, the Government of Canada, and Tourism South Kootenay. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

COVID Protocols– Show dates, times and conditions may be subject to change as mandated by Provincial Health Orders and subject to the COVID climate. At this time, masks are recommended but not required. We are not required to ask for proof of vaccination and shows can operate at 100% capacity. Patrons will be notified by email of any changes in our COVID protocols.