diana may clark

bio

Bio - Diana May Clark    www.dianaclark.com.au 

Melbourne singer-songwriter Diana May Clark
established her interpretive credentials by way of award-winning Brazilian jazz recordings and collaborations with virtuoso guitarist/composer (now husband) Doug de Vries. She has a background in A cappella and choral music - being a founding member of international award-winning original vocal group Akasa, Clark also established Australia's first purely Brazilian-repertoire choir 'Borboleta', and was an artistic director/conductor of the 400-voice Boite's Melbourne Millennium Chorus.

Over 25 years De Vries and Clark established a loyal fan base in Australia and travelled to Brazil regularly for collaboration and inspiration. The duo's recordings …a knot in the wood… and three shadows of blue won Arts Critics favour in the USA for their fine interpretations of bossa nova and Brazilian popular music. Together they've performed for audiences throughout Australia, the Pacific, Brazil and beyond, selling over 15,000 independent releases. 

Diana's original English lyric to Brazilian Afro-Pop song 'Mama Africa' by poet/musician Chico Cesar has recently been co-licensed world-wide. SBS interview -18 Sept, 2021 BY MARIANA GOTARDO ..."That BrazilianMusicWoman"  SBS Radio Interview Podcast in Portuguese and translated to English: Here

Her English lyric and performance of 'Cry no More/Canto de Ossanha' the classic afro-samba by Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes won a place in the jazz-connect international jazz recordings comp in the early naughties...

Diana's 2007 original EP release Breathe into Time picked up two songwriting awards for the title track and is published in the Australian Jazz Real Book. 

Clark’s single Sunny Daze took 6th place in the Australian Songwriters’ Association competition in the indie pop/rock category 2012; and made top 5 in the 2013 Independent Music Awards (Adult Contemporary song category). The songs's clip featured on ABC TV’s Rage.

Since 2000 Clark has performed at folk and jazz festivals in Australia, including: Port Fairy, Woodford, Queenscliff, Apollo Bay, the National Folk Festival, Fairbridge, Wangaratta, Stonnington, Walsh Bay & Manly Jazz Festivals; and touring New Zealand various times.

Her original band project Diana May Clark and the Sunny Set, takes to a sonic dimension combining psychedelic styles with cross-cultural rhythms. This is truly neo-pop: intercultural, sophisticated, fresh and instantly charming!
 
The Other Side of the Girl is Clark’s first full length original album. 
“From the get go, Diana May Clark’s The Other Side of the Girl makes you wanna undulate! Not nod your head, not tap your toes nor click your fingers - you wanna move your hips... Later, you can lie on your back staring at the sky and let the sublime blend of voice and music take you slipping through time like sunshine through treetops. You’ll be needing a rest after all that dance floor action.” Pat Monaghan 

“An amazing sounding record, where each and every song is an event! Musically, lyrically and rhythmically brilliant and topped off with a voice of sheer delight to the ear.” Charles Jenkins

Breathe into Time

"The opening notes of some CDs mesmerise you; you can tell you're going to enjoy the whole experience. [Breathe into Time] is one such example. This EP of original songs take the listener on an inner and outer journey across a world and jazz landscape...influenced by Brazilian music and Australian diversity..." 
Roger Holdsworth 3PBS Radio [Melbourne].
"Diana Clark sure knows how to make a great debut CD. First enlist De Vries, Chindamo, Sedergreen, Starr, Beck, Poskitt, Pereira, & Vela. Heck why didn't I think of that? While her ½ dozen compositions accommodate the Jazz, Blues, & Brazilian influences you would expect from this A-team, Diana's singing is imbued with an ecstatic quality & joy of performing that is all her own."
Ross Wilson.
“It’s a lovely piece that hangs together with beauty and poise; sweetly transporting melodies and great musicianship. I hope I hear it on the radio waves.” 
Deborah Conway.
I like music that reveals itself to you, small pieces at a time...and requires your contribution (like a conversation). I love the subjects Diana embraces and the music...Ces't tres belle! It's a gorgeous album!”
Kate Ceberano