Dione Taylor

Dione Taylor is Canadian blues, roots, soul and jazz singer/songwriter[1] born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Dione calls her music the “Prairie Blues”, which is a mixture of Roots, Blues, Gospel and Americana. She is influenced by vocalists such as Aretha Franklin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Son House and Sarah Vaughan. She released her first album, Open Your Eyes, in 2004. That album was nominated for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2005.

Dione Taylor
Background information
Born	Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Genres	Jazz, Blues, Soul
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	2004–present
Website	dionetaylor.com

A pastor's daughter, music has always been an integral part of Ms. Taylor's life. Born and raised in a family she describes as “really connected to the gift of song,” she began playing the organ at age four, and at the tender age of 10, became musical director and organist at The Shiloh Assembly Church (Apostolic) in Regina. Taylor received two Voice Scholarships upon high school graduation.  She decided upon the University of Regina, where she majored in Voice (Classical and Opera). A career turning point came when Ms. Taylor enrolled at the world-renowned jazz program at the Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology. Dione excelled academically and received the college's Thomas Kehoe Memorial Award for Outstanding Vocal Performance, graduating with honors from the program in 2003. While completing those studies, she entered an international competition for jazz students. She was selected as of one of six jazz musicians from around the world for the “Jazz and the New Generation” program. Led by Dr. Billy Taylor, it was sponsored by The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and its winners performed at a prestigious concert on the Millennium Stage.

An assured and charming performer, Ms. Taylor has already sung for presidents and royalty. In June 2004, a mere two weeks after releasing her debut CD, she was invited to participate in a concert celebrating Black Music Month in the United States at the White House for the President and First Lady. Less than a year later she performed alongside other stars for Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and Joni Mitchell at the Saskatchewan Centennial Gala of the Arts. Other notable appearances include the 2005 Nightlife Jazz Tour, the Women's Blues Revue at Toronto's famed Massey Hall and the 2005 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. In November 2006 Ms. Taylor had the honor of performing “The Weight” for Robbie Robertson of The Band at the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala in tribute and recognition of his Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award. Dione was nominated for a Gemini Award for her rendition of Oscar Peterson's “Hymn to Freedom,” which she performed alongside Oliver Jones[2] at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala that was broadcast on CTV. Taylor is also the recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award Mentorship Program.[3]