NEW ALBUM
Reviews of LIFE FORCE
“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
Chris Spector of midwestrecords.com reviews Life Force saying,“This all field hitter does a great job of delivering the goods again without repeating herself. A genuine wild ride you wish wouldn’t end.”
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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
VIDEO
MUSIC
DIANE ROBLIN BIO
Diane Roblin's dynamic career in music has placed her among Canada's venerable women in jazz. Composer, pianist, electric keyboardist, improviser, and band leader Diane effortlessly harnesses technical agility to center music's power of connection. She is based in Toronto, where she leads her Life Force sextet, a "virtuosic ensemble of Canadian hotshots" (JAZZ.FM91) that features Bruce Cassidy, George Koller, Kevin Turcotte, Tim Shia and Jeff LaRochelle. The group plays Diane's diverse compositions that blend her broad influences ranging from high-energy jazz-funk to impressionism. Diane released the project's sophomore album, LIFE FORCE, in 2019. Described as a "genuine, wild ride you wish wouldn't end" (midwestrecords.com) and "something unique to offer jazz fans" (JAZZ.FM91), LIFE FORCE was on allaboutjazz.com's top 10 album list in 2019.
In addition to leading her band, Diane regularly performs across Toronto at venues like Hugh's Room, Jazz Bistro, Lula Lounge, The Pilot Tavern, and more. She has performed internationally in Mexico, France, NYC, London, and Amsterdam. Her festival credits include the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Toronto 416 Improvisers Festival, Somewhere There Festival, Tennessee Plum Festival, and the 2015 TDJazz-sponsored celebration of women in jazz at Lula Lounge in Toronto.
In her diverse career, beyond Life Force, Diane has performed with Rough Trade, Charles Gayle, Bob Brough, Richard Underhill, Hans Bennick, Mary Oliver, Morgan Childs, Michael Stewart, Ben Riley, Nick Fraser, Jerome Cooper, Michael Snow, Alexis Baro, Ethan Ardelli, Alex Dean, and Kieren Overs to name a few.
Roblin's career in music has undergone several meaningful evolutions. Training first as a sociologist at Toronto's York University, she began taking an eclectic range of music electives at the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. Flourishing in the York music community opened the door to a diverse decade-long career of performing with notable acts from Rough Trade to Charles Gayle and touring with many jazz, blues, and R&B groups. She then metamorphosed into a successful solo jazz pianist and film industry consultant, which she enjoyed for 15 years. Diane next pursued her first passion as a frontline crisis counsellor for teenage girls, in addition to her career in music and film, until retiring to travel the world. In 2011, a catastrophic life event reopened the door to music for Diane.
Since her return to music in 2011, Roblin's community-mindedness and a veritable explosion of creative activity has led to her full comeback as a leading voice in contemporary jazz and improvised music globally. In 2014, she released her debut album, aptly titled RECONNECT, which received global airplay and was one of JazzFM 91.1 Top 3 Albums of that year. Recently, Diane added telematic virtual concerts to her roster of artistic expression, most notably with NYC composer Sarah Weaver's international multidisciplinary NowNetArts Ensemble and Trio Janela. Diane also regularly performs live with the Toronto Improvisers Orchestra, Glen Hall's Ossingtones, Portage (George Koller, Bruce Cassidy), Fisher/Luciani/Roblin and Ladyfinger with Kayla Milmine. Diane is a member of the Association of Canadian Women Composers (ACWC).
Diane plays high-energy music from the heart.