Krall Sells Out Kursaal Auditorium for Twentieth Jazzaldia Appearance
Canadian pianist Diana Krall brought the 61st edition of the Jazzaldia festival in Donostia to a close on Sunday, performing before a completely sold-out Kursaal auditorium that maintained an active waiting list.
Opening the evening with a simple “Good evening” before settling at her piano, Krall and her touring ensemble delivered a two-hour performance that blended jazz standards and contemporary covers.
An Intimate Opening and Dynamic Stage Presence
The concert began with an uncompanied piano solo leading into ‘Let’s fall in love’. As the performance progressed through ‘We just couldn’t say goodbye’ and ‘Just like a butterfly that’s caught in the rain’, the stage lighting shifted dynamically.
When the full band—featuring bassist Dennis Crouch, guitarist Marc Ribot, and drummer Jay Bellerose—joined the arrangement, the stage glowed with color. During individual instrumental solos, single spotlights focused attention squarely on each musician.
Celebrating Bandmates and Musical Rapport
Following a rendition of ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter’, Krall addressed the audience directly to share her appreciation for her bandmates.
“I really enjoyed that, I really enjoy playing with these men,” she said.
That established musical rapport was further demonstrated during ‘Fly away home’, which featured a prominent percussion solo preceded by individual contributions from the bass and guitar.
Crossing Idioms from Nanaimo to the Festival Stage
Beyond traditional repertoire staples such as ‘I’ve got you under my skin’ and ‘I’M Confessin’’, Krall integrated several distinct interpretations into the setlist. Her choices included Bob Dylan’s ‘It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue’ and a composition by artist Eleanor Collins.
These selections highlighted an artistic identity that spans both classical and popular idioms, tracing back to her early musical development starting at age four in Nanaimo.
A Restrained Atmosphere and Lasting Legacy
The evening maintained a restrained, atmospheric tone designed to offer the audience a focused listening environment. Before leaving the stage, Krall offered a final acknowledgment to the crowd, noting, “what a wonderful audience.”
Her twentieth appearance at the festival underscored a career dedicated to interpreting traditional jazz standards within an intimate concert format.
