Bio

“Roblin reminds us of her skill, not only as a pianist, but as a new
music composer…she is a facile and deeply emotional keyboardist
who establishes her musical territory with muscular performance. …”
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, JazzFM 91.1

“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 says of Life Force.

Diane Roblin is a composer, pianist, electric keyboardist, improviser,
and band leader; she is an artist who feels music is about
connection- an energy exchange with others -across an ensemble,
with the audience and within herself. Classically trained in Buffalo NY,
her studies at York University (Toronto) were eclectic and wide
ranging including world music (Trichy Shankaran), electronic music
(David Rosenboom) and jazz improvisation; she also participated in
the Ornette Coleman/Karl Berger workshop in NYC with renown
musicians including Jack DeJonnette and Lee Konitz, as well as the
Dutch Improv Academy with Hans Bennick, Mary Oliver in the
Netherlands. Her compositions and improvisations have been
influenced by McCoy Tyner, Debussy, Carla Bley, Herbie Hancock
and Bartok.

Diane has played with many diverse groups from the ground-breaking
rock band Rough Trade to the avant-garde improviser Charles Gayle.
She is fresh off the release of a new CD with her Life Force Sextet,
an all-star 6 piece explosive band that came together to explore
Diane’s spirited and diverse compositions – a mix of high energy jazzfunk
with expressive improvisation and impressionistic over tones.
The players include Bruce Cassidy, George Koller, Kevin Turcotte,
Ben Riley and Jeff LaRochelle. Her LIFE FORCE CD was on
allaboutjazz.com’s top 10 list and has been celebrated here and
abroad.

Diane is also an accomplished contemporary free-jazz/experimental
music improviser, composer and solo artist. Through listening and
use of musical dialogue she has been creating compositions in live
time with many outstanding musicians including Michael Snow,
George Koller, Hans Bennick, Nick Fraser, Charles Gayle, Jerome
Cooper, Blaise Siwula and Brodie West to name a few.
Recently, Diane has added telematic internet concerts to her roster of
artistic expression. She has been performing regularly with NYC
composer, Sarah Weaver’s NowNet Inc. Lab Ensemble – a group of
international accomplished musicians and video artists from
Singapore – Denmark as well as with Doug Van Nort’s Electric
Acoustic Orchestra, and the Say It Again Ensemble.

Diane has performed at diverse venues domestic and abroad:
Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Hugh’s Room, Jazz Bistro, Lula
Lounge, TDJazz, The Pilot Tavern, Alliance Francaise, Harbourfront,
Array Space, Toronto 416 Improvisers Festival, Somewhere There
Festival, Toronto Improvisers Orchestra, Tennessee Plum Festival,
Smalls NYC, Ronnie Scotts London UK, Amsterdam’s Bimhaus,
Goro’s Merida Mexico, as well as clubs abroad in Cannes, Antibes/
Juan les Pins; and live globally via telematics.

Diane plays high energy music from the heart.