BMus, Jazz Performance (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec)
Melody Diachun (DAY-shun) is an award-winning Canadian vocalist and songwriter named Jazz Artist of the Year at the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards. With five albums and several nominations, including a National Jazz Awards nomination for Vocalist of the Year, Melody has firmly established herself as "a force to reckon with in contemporary vocal music" (Toronto Music Report).
As a seasoned performer, Melody brings a warm energy to the stage that resonates deeply with audiences. Her latest project, Sumner's Tales: The Music of Sting, masterfully explores legendary songs from The Police and Sting's solo career through the lens of contemporary jazz. Supported by a stellar ensemble—David Restivo (piano), Michael Occhipinti (guitar, loops, ambient effects), Tony Ferraro (drums), and Melody's husband Doug Stephenson (acoustic bass)—her interpretations are bold and nuanced, offering fresh perspectives on familiar classics. Critics have praised the album's "inspired arrangements, soundscapes, and grooves that range from lush to bombastic" (Tinnitist) and her "soulful confidence, exquisite phrasing, and impeccable sense of time" (All About Jazz).
Rooted in a rich musical journey that began in Montreal and traversed Nova Scotia, New York City, Banff, and Vancouver, Melody now finds her poetic home in Nelson, British Columbia. With a decade of teaching experience in the Contemporary Music & Technology program at Selkirk College, Melody is currently serving as the School Chair of the School of Arts & Technology.
Find out more about Melody.