Wholenote Magazine Discoveries : Jazz and Improvised
There has been a lot of buzz around Diana Panton since her first CD was released in 2005, and as all of us cynics know, sometimes buzz is justified and sometimes it isn’t. In Panton’s case, I am happy to add my voice to the chorus of praise and report that the buzz is utterly justified. Her second CD “If the Moon Turns Green” is a gorgeous collection of star-and –moon-themed standards . . . more
July View Magazine Article
At the early age of 19, Diana Panton was turning heads. Becoming a stand out with early appearances with the Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band and concerts with pianist David Braid, it took nearly a decade but Panton realized her first CD in 2005 with …yesterday perhaps. Acclaimed by the national media as one of the year’s best jazz works, it’s now taken two years for Panton sophomore CD, but it was well worth the wait . . . . more
Steeltown produces a smouldering-hot jazz singing sensation
Could the hottest young jazz singing prospect in Canada be a high school French teacher in Hamilton? Sure, it seems crazy, and having grown up in the Steel City myself just increases my skepticism. But once you hear Diana Panton breathe new life into familiar standards and make Frank Sinatra's closing-time classic In The Wee Small Hours into her own private lullaby, you'll realize, as I have, that there's something very special about this Westdale Secondary School staffer. . . . more
This Hamilton jazz vocalist’s stunning debut disc will knock your socks off
Diana Panton. If you don’t know the name, you should (and will). But more importantly, you want to get to know the voice. As jazz vocalists’ instruments go, hers is unique, though you’ll find hints of the past there too, if you listen—the girlishness of Ella Fitzgerald, the authority and skill of a Sarah Vaughan, occasionally even the world–weariness of a Billie Holiday. Those are some pretty big names from which to draw comparison, but the correlations are apt and free of hyperbole. Diana Panton is just that good . . . more
“Aesthetically wonderful!” Dr. Yusef Lateef, saxophonist, Jazz in July
“She brings to each song that perfect combination of words and music – words so naturally phrased they seem as easy as conversation, music so deliciously supported and coloured by a voice that can do whatever it wishes to express the deepest emotions.” Hugh Fraser, Hamilton Spectator
“She’s so soulful … I know she means every word she sings.” Sheila Jordan, Vocalist
“She really knocked me out (the first time I heard her sing). She was so young but she had a lot of real feeling. It surprised me right away.” Don Thompson, pianist, bassist, vibraphonist
“… Panton is surely one of Hamilton’s best-kept musical secrets.” Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator
“Miss Panton deserves the spotlight and should be a feature on the Canadian and international jazz scene very soon.” George Sanford, CFMU radio
“Diana is an amazing young Canadian talent …” Dan Sich, !earshot year-end picks 2005