Diana Clark

appearing soon at:

Thursday 2nd December, 2010
BMW Edge, Fed Square.
special event: "Heart, Strings & Harmonia"
Diana Clark singing beautiful originals and songs in Brazilian Portuguese with string quartet and sublime arrangements & guitar of Doug de Vries.
www.mwijf.org

Australian singer-songwriter Diana Clark’s rich alto voice and songs reflect the cosmopolitan scene of music making in Melbourne, her home, & her background growing up in the Northern Territory, while embracing the powerful rhythms of Brazil - the intensity and subtle beauty of Rio.
The Diana Clark Trio have just launched their live CD of the trio’s 2009 Australian Tour with bonus DVD teaming Diana Clark’s warm, intimate English/Portuguese vocals & Doug de Vries’ eloquent, sparkling 7-string guitar with Stephen Grant’s masterfully understated accordion.

“Diana’s voice…seductive & engaging…with de Vries improvising, using an impressive finger-style technique on 7 string guitar…also complementing Di’s voice by singing counterpoint melodies while Grant uplifted the music further still with his transcendental accompanying…truly a night of splendour from three of this country’s finest musicians.”President Albury-Wodonga Jazz Society

Diana’s collaborations with master guitarist Doug de Vries have established her as a persuasive interpreter of Brazilian Popular Song - over the past decade, she & de Vries have immersed themselves in the traditions of bossa, samba, choro, maracatu and baiao, while exploring the expressive possibilities inherent in song writing and interpreting.The spirit of Brazil has now seeped into their consciousness to become part of the duo’s creative DNA, informing their approach to their own jazz-infused compositions. Clark’s original material reveals an emotive power and sophistication that is given full flight in the company of her sublime accompanists - de Vries & all round musical virtuoso and accordionist Stephen Grant.

Doug de Vries is one of Australia’s best, most experienced and versatile guitarists and composers, excelling in many musical genres from jazz to choro, samba and bossa nova; styles that form the basis of Rio’s popular music, and is considered Australia’s leading exponent of Brazilian guitar repertoire. Respected internationally, Doug is particularly noted for his sophisticated accompaniments, deep knowledge and daring improvisations, be it solo guitar or with ensembles in Australia or Brazil.www.dougdevries.com

A remarkably versatile and independent musician, Stephen Grant is equally at home playing contemporary and traditional jazz as well as many other styles. Born in England, he moved to Australia at a young age where he keeps himself busy performing almost any instrument he can get his hands on. A sensitive & tasteful musician, Stephen is self-taught and has played professionally since he was 15 throughout Australia as well as touring in Europe and the America's with a variety of groups including the Julien Wilson Trio & C.W. Stoneking.

"Singing in alternating English & Portuguese, Diana's light, melifluous voice perfectly compliments de Vries' virtuosity on the 7 string guitar. Marrying old and new sounds, they manage to remain faithful to the 'musica brasileira' genre while retaining a strong Australian sensibility." The AGE [Melbourne]

The Diana Clark Trio

check out the music:
http://www.myspace.com/dougdevries
- and http://www.myspace.com/dianamayclark
more on stephen grant:
- youtube: 'camera eaten by fish'

Doug de Vries - brilliantly ranks high at the forefront of international guitarists and is a jazz musician of world class. He is Australia’s foremost experienced and versatile jazz guitarist and composer, excelling in many musical genres from jazz to choro, samba and bossa nova; styles that form the basis of Brazilian popular music, and he is also considered Australia’s leading exponent of Brazilian guitar repertoire. Doug de Vries is particularly noted for his sophisticated accompaniments, deep knowledge and daring improvisations in jazz and other settings, be it solo guitar or in ensembles. Doug has toured widely and performs solo as well as accompanying vocalists and other instrumentalists internationally.

Working in close association with Doug de Vries,
Australian singer-songwriter Diana Clark has earned her reputation as a persuasive interpreter of Brazilian Jazz. Diana's beguiling, soothing voice brings to life original songs laced with k.d. Lang's poise and Nina Simone's depth while mixing English with Portuguese over a bed of guitar & piano. Supported by the sparkling guitar mastery of Doug de Vries & sublime piano accordion of Stephen Grant, Diana's contemporary singing style comes from a Jazz and A cappella music background (she was a founding member of internationally acclaimed voice+percussion group Akasa www.akasa.com.au). Diana Clark regularly tours Australia, Brazil & the Pacific with jazz guitar master Doug de Vries.

“Melbourne guitarist Doug de Vries has long been revered for his magical playing and willingness & determination to explore new sounds and styles… (His) artistry is eloquent, joyous and exuberant…”Herald Sun (Melbourne).

“De Vries and Clark feel the music of Brazil down to their bones. His guitar is full of romance and her voice is so intimate it could make you blush. Australia may be halfway around the world from Brazil but you'd never know it from listening to their CDs“Cadence Magazine2005 [USA].

Watch out for dates in late 2010 featuring Diana Clark Trio with string trio featuring:
Noella Yan - cello,
Andrea Keeble - Violin
& Beth Hemming - viola; arrangements by de Vries.