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LIFE FORCE

 NEW ALBUm 

"Breath of Fresh Air"

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Diane Roblin is respected as one of Canada’s important women in jazz. Not only is she an expressive and master keyboardist, she’s a powerful composer.  Her performances, along with this recording, exemplify her technical agility and spirited genre-crossing arrangements that sparkle under the umbrella of jazz. This newly released album “Breath of Fresh Air” continues her legacy.  

- Dee Dee McNeil, Making the Scene


“Roblin reminds us of her skill, not only as a pianist, but as a new music composer” 

- Leslie Mitchell-Clarke, The Whole Note 
 

”This much anticipated recording proves once again Diane Roblin has something unique to offer jazz fans. Fascinating compositions with a virtuosic ensemble of Canadian hotshots.”

- Jaymz Bee, JAZZFM91

Available on all digital platforms
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biography

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Diane Roblin’s dynamic career has earned her a place among Canada’s most respected women in jazz. Known for her powerful compositions and expressive keyboard style, Diane’s performances blend technical agility with a deep commitment to the connective power of music. As a composer, pianist, electric keyboardist, improviser, and bandleader, Diane’s spirited, genre-crossing work has led to collaborations with artists ranging from avant-garde improviser Charles Gayle to the iconic rock band Rough Trade.

Her new album, Breath of Fresh Air, released on Zsan Records in late 2024, continues this legacy. It showcases Roblin’s expansive musical voice, weaving jazz, funk, and impressionist harmony into compositions that are both adventurous and deeply moving.

Leading her six-piece ensemble, Life Force, Diane explores high-energy soundscapes punctuated by intricate, emotionally resonant improvisations. Critics have praised her work: JAZZFM91 calls her compositions “fascinating,” while WholeNote writes, “Roblin reminds us of her skill, not only as a pianist but as a new music composer.” 

A classical pianist by training, Diane pursued a diverse music education at York University in Toronto, immersing herself in jazz improvisation, world music, and electronic composition with David Rosenboom. She has also studied with mridangam master Trichy Sankaran and participated in the Ornette Coleman/Karl Berger workshop in NYC, where she worked with luminaries like Lee Konitz, and in the Dutch Improv Academy with drummer Hans Bennink.

Diane’s collaborations span an impressive range of Canadian jazz and experimental musicians, and she regularly performs in both traditional and experimental contexts, including telematic music with Sarah Weaver’s NowNet Inc. Lab Ensemble. Her performances have reached audiences at major venues and festivals in North America and Europe, from Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival to Amsterdam’s Bimhuis and New York’s Smalls. Diane is also an active member of the Association of Canadian Women Composers, committed to advancing Canada’s jazz and compositional community.

“This all-field hitter does a great job of delivering the goods... a genuine wild ride you wish wouldn’t end.”
— Chris Spector, MidwestRecords.com
“Roblin’s piano work dazzles.”
— canadianmusic.ca
Bio
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2024 RELEASE - Breath of Fresh Air


Diane Roblin

Piano, Rhodes, Keyboards

Kevin Turcotte

Trumpet, Flugelhorn

John Johnson

Soprano & Alto Sax

Jeff LaRochelle

Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet

George Koller

Acoustic & Electric Bass

Tim Shia 

Drums

Produced by George Koller

All Compositions Diane Roblin (SOCAN)  

Horn arrangements on 2 & 5 by Bruce Cassidy

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2019 RELEASE - LIFE FORCE

Diane Roblin

Piano, fender rhodes and composition

George Koller

Upright and electric bass

Bruce Cassidy

Electronic Valve Instrument

Kevin Turcotte

Trumpet and flugelhorn

Jeff LaRochelle

Tenor sax and bass clarinet

Ben Riley 

Drums

Produced by George Koller

All Compositions Diane Roblin (SOCAN)  

Snowy Day arrangement by Bruce Cassidy 

 

Tracks 2,3,5 & 6, recorded at Canterbury Music Company & engineered by Jeremy Darby (April 2019)

Tracks 4,7 & 8 recorded at Number 9 Audio Group &  engineered and mastered by Bernardo Francisco Cisternas (October 2018)

Virtual reality cover by Olga Nabatova

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FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT teaser - LIFE FORCE - HUGH'S ROOM

FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT teaser - LIFE FORCE - HUGH'S ROOM

01:33
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SUSPEND YOURSELF - Diane Roblin LIFE FORCE CD release party -  Hugh's Room, November 5th, 2019

SUSPEND YOURSELF - Diane Roblin LIFE FORCE CD release party - Hugh's Room, November 5th, 2019

12:16
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SET ONE - LIFE FORCE ALBUM RELEASE - HUGH'S ROOM

SET ONE - LIFE FORCE ALBUM RELEASE - HUGH'S ROOM

01:00:04
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SET TWO ALBUM RELEASE -  LIFE FORCE ALBUM RELEASE PARTY, - HUGH'S ROOM NOVEMBER 5th

SET TWO ALBUM RELEASE - LIFE FORCE ALBUM RELEASE PARTY, - HUGH'S ROOM NOVEMBER 5th

28:24
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