Diane Roblin’s Life Force: ‘Breath of Fresh Air’ Album Release and Birthday Party!
March 27, 2025 @ 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Diane Roblin – Piano, Rhodes, Keyboards
Kevin Turcotte – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
John Johnson – Soprano & Alto Sax
Jeff LaRochelle – Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet
George Koller – Acoustic & Electric Bass
Tim Shia – Drums
Diane Roblin’s dynamic career has earned her a place among Canada’s most respected women in jazz. Known for her powerful compositions and expressive keyboard style, Roblin’s performances blend technical agility with a deep commitment to the connective power of music. As a composer, pianist, electric keyboardist, improviser, and bandleader, Roblin’s spirited, genre-crossing work has led to collaborations with artists ranging from avant-garde improviser Charles Gayle to the iconic rock band Rough Trade.
Roblin’s new album, Breath of Fresh Air continues this legacy. It showcases Roblin’s expansive musical voice, weaving jazz, funk, and impressionist harmony into compositions that are both adventurous and deeply moving. Leading her powerhouse six-piece ensemble, Life Force, Roblin explores high-energy soundscapes punctuated by intricate and emotionally resonant improvisations. Bassist and album producer George Koller masterfully lays down the foundation. Kevin Turcotte delivers agile, inventive phrasing on trumpet and flugelhorn, while Jeff LaRochelle adds warmth and depth on tenor sax and bass clarinet. Woodwind player John Johnson contributes vibrant textures, and Tim Shia’s steady, nuanced drumming anchors the group as they navigate shifting rhythms and intricate time signatures.
Roblin’s collaborations span an impressive range of Canadian jazz and experimental musicians. She regularly performs in both traditional and experimental contexts, including telematic music with NYC’s Sarah Weaver’s NowNet Inc. Lab Ensemble. Her performances have reached audiences at major venues and festivals in North America and Europe, from Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival to Amsterdam’s Bimhuis and New York’s Smalls. Roblin is also an active member of the Association of Canadian Women Composers, committed to advancing Canada’s jazz and compositional community.
“Roblin reminds us of her skill, not only as a pianist but as a new music composer”
–TheWholeNote
“…fascinating… offering something truly unique to jazz fans.”
–JazzFM91