The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts at 2 Southbridge Street celebrated its fifth anniversary with a dynamic performance by jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall. At the time, Krall had just launched a spring tour in support of “Glad Rag Doll,” her latest recording on the Verve label. The show had already received rave reviews on its Canadian and European tours and continued to earn accolades across the United States.
The semi-autobiographical show marked a departure of sorts for Krall, widely known as a Grammy Award-winning jazz singer and pianist with a deep connection to The Great American Songbook. Approaching 50 then, Krall reflected on her upbringing in Nanaimo, a small town on Vancouver Island, where her family shared a love for old records, piano sessions, and classic films.
Krall, who began performing as a jazz pianist at 15, studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston before jazz bassist Ray Brown encouraged her to immerse herself in Los Angeles’ vibrant jazz scene. Under the guidance of pianist Jimmy Rowles, she added vocals to her performances, setting the stage for her rise to become one of the top-selling jazz artists globally.
That night in Hanover, Krall, dressed in a sharp black waistcoat over a white smock, paired with black leather leggings and boots, performed alongside her stellar band: guitarist Aram Bajakian (a Worcester native), guitarist and violinist Stuart Duncan, keyboardist Patrick Warren, drummer Karriem Riggins, and bassist Dennis Crouch. The stage, designed by Colleen Atwood and Mark Seliger, featured burgundy drapes adorned with lights representing the sun, moon, and stars.
Opening with the video “When the Curtain Comes Down” from “Glad Rag Doll,” Krall transported the audience back to the roaring ’20s, a time when jazz thrived, vaudeville reigned supreme, and flappers danced The Charleston.
She kicked off her live set with “We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye,” showcasing her signature stride piano style and brassy vocals, before seamlessly transitioning to “There Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth the Salt of My Tears.” The lively set continued with “You Know — I Know Everything’s Made for Love,” which featured standout solos from Duncan and Bajakian.
Krall delivered haunting renditions of “Just Like A Butterfly That’s Caught in the Rain” and “Let It Rain,” dedicating the latter to Boston amidst its struggles at the time. Her interpretations of Tom Waits’ “Temptation” and “The Heart of Saturday Night” added a contemporary edge, while “Almost Blue,” written by her husband Elvis Costello, revealed a more introspective side.
The evening revisited the vibrant spirit of the 1920s with “Glad Rag Doll” and a medley that included “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” “Lonely Avenue,” and “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” Krall’s Nat King Cole influences shone brightly in “Just You, Just Me,” earning her a standing ovation.
For her encore, Krall delivered a heartfelt performance of “Prairie Lullaby,” a tender lullaby she sang to her twin sons.
At the time, “Glad Rag Doll” had earned a nomination for a 2013 Juno Award in the Vocal Jazz Album of the Year category, a testament to Krall’s enduring artistry. The Hanover’s fifth anniversary celebration was not only a milestone for the venue but also an unforgettable night of jazz magic led by one of the genre’s finest performers.
May the Hanover continue to celebrate many more milestones with performances as memorable as the night Diana Krall sizzled on its stage.
