US Jazz diva to drive away blues

The Guide speaks to Jazz musician from Los Angeles, Diane Witherspoon, on her journey so far and of memorable performances

Pune might soon become the Jazz capital of the country, thanks to a series of Jazz performances happening all over the city. Now, renowned Jazz vocalist Diane Witherspoon is the latest Jazz star to come to the city over the weekend.

Singer, composer, musician and publisher, Diane Witherspoon is a woman of many talents. She resides in Los Angeles and has sung for two decades internationally.

It's her first visit to India but she says her association with the country goes back to 1984 when her ex-husband came here for the Jazz Yatra. She came into contact with the Pune Jazz Club (who are the show organisers alongwith Ishanya Art and Culture Club) in Bangkok last year and they insisted she come to India. She will be accompanied by her quartet comprising of Passakorn Suksuntiphab (piano) and Teerawat Tunboot (bass).

Narrating her journey into Jazz, Diane explains, "When I was in my pre-teens, my elder sister used to sing for Duke Wellington's band and performed at the White House when President Nixon was in office. "The decision to sing professionally came when I met my ex-husband, a jazz musician who was part of the Association for Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), which consisted of many avant garde musicians," she says.u00a0 Diane will be singing blues, ballads and some originals as well.

On August 29, 7.30 pm onwards
At Elan, Ishanya, Yerawada.
Call 40004141 / 40004068