Genuine jazz produced by Diana Krall in Singapore

Nauval Yazid and Ve Handojom Contributors, Singapore

Those expecting a night filled with plain, ordinary jazz- standards showcased recently by the likes of Michael Buble or Rene Olsteadt, were bound to be disappointed.

On the contrary, those expecting a fresh jazzy ambience were treated to a wonderful experience at the Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore, that was transformed into a lounge where the senses were overwhelmed with Diana Krall's daring exploration of her truest jazz roots.

Inexplicably 20 minutes late on the evening of April 6, 2005, Krall wasted no time. She marched onto the bare stage, adorned with only a piano, a drum kit for Peter Erskine, a double bass for John Clayton, and a guitar for Anthony Wilson.

Together, they performed I Love Being Here With You, an opener meant to bridge her well-known image as a performer of jazz standards, before really kicking off the evening with Stop This World, as if demanding that the audience take note of the new Krall.

Indeed, the new Krall left the audience unprepared.

Sporting a new, yet still blonde, hair-do, she looked something like Jennifer Aniston's Rachel in the TV sitcom Friends, but only Krall could make it look real by dressing simply in a black shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

Gone was the sultry, glamorous look often portrayed on her album covers and promotional stills. She seems at home with her down-to-earth look, perhaps the result of recent occurrences in her life, be it from the low side (her latest album was made during her first Christmas without her mother, who had just passed away), to the bright side (she is married to musician Elvis Costello).

In fact, the latter influence is so obvious that she gushed, shyly, before introducing the title song of her latest album The Girl In The Other Room, "It's kinda easy being his wife."

It's kinda easy for us to see why.

Costello seems to have been a major influence in her latest album, allowing Krall to explore a new territory never before attempted: Songwriting.

The album has received a generally warm reception from critics. Half the tracks were written by the couple, including the title track. On top of that, she has moved away from her usual standards and cover versions, instead choosing non-jazz tracks to be molded into her staple style of harmonious piano notes.

This is most notable in Tom Waits' Temptation and her beau's Almost Blue, two songs that she performed at the concert with tremendous passion and belief, producing audible gasps from the audience. Such a daring choice for Krall, whose popularity crosses over to the mainstream thanks to her previous chart- friendly work; this time, she abandoned her usual orchestral background to return to her jazz piano roots.

Thus, the one-night concert that marked the start of her Australasian tour served to show her love of the piano.

The audience could see the inseparability of Krall and her piano when she looked down at the keyboard and played it, totally undistracted by flashing cameras or the annoying sound of cell phones.

With full concentration, she played a tribute to Nat King Cole, "my ultimate mentor", reaching a peak when she belted out 'Deed I Do.

An extended jam session with the band turned out to be a rare chance to see Krall in full enjoyment of her own musicality. It was so intense that she burst out in laughter, causing her difficulty in singing the song in tune.

For once, Krall looked genuinely happy: And there was no reason for the 1,000-plus audience not to feel the same.