All about Dinah D

"My music career up to this point has been like an old Bentley running out of gas. Spurts of loud, serious progress mixed with stalling points. I have played music professionally for 13 years-the last 6 have been with the Double Bass. The Bentley finally found a trustworthy Gas station."

As a performer for the last 13 years, Dinah D has seen a lot of road, a lot of faces and a lot of backstage greenrooms. With one foot in the Blues/Swing genre the other in Soundscape/Folk/Bluegrass/Poetry/Experimental; she has been a busy gal. Her debut EP, Outer Bass, was released in 2006.

Some of the musicians Dinah D has worked with in the last few years include: Doug Cox, Salil Bhatt, John Boutte, Ramkumar Mishra, Ken Whiteley, Harry Manx, Kim Beggs, Valdy, The Be Good Tanyas, Gary Fjellgaard, Bob Bossin, The Kerplunks.... to name a few.

In the last year(2008), Dinah D has put together her all-star band “Dinah D’s Contraband Swingclub”. Always fascinated by early 20th century swingband music, Dinah D finds herself emulating this style in her writing for the Swingclub. DD’s Contraband Swingclub has one scintillating album under their belts: Most Definitely Live.

Other projects keeping Dinah D busy are: soundscape composition to silent film, performance poetry + storytelling (accompanying herself on Upright Bass), and some very grand Community Collaboration Projects. All this complimenting her already established solo Vocal and Upright Bass career.

"Dinah D is a West Coast gem, a real rarity, whose presence, style, and sound will all stick in your head from the very first time you hear her. Dinah is not only a solid upright bass player—thumping out that low register downbeat almost effortlessly—she’s also a gifted singer; a seductive contra-alto with a wry sense of humour. Dinah’s skill as a performer is backed up by strong song-writing talent with roots that go deep—far back to the days of Viper jazz—and a sound that is steeped in the blues. If you get the chance to see Dinah perform, do not hesitate to make the gig!"
-James Booker, CHLY Radio Malaspina

News

Dinah D & Aaron Cadwaladr playing for the FOLKS!

The Victoria Folk Music Society audience is one of the BEST listening audiences out there! Aaron and I have played on eachothers' albums and been working together for the last 5 or so years. We're crazy excited to be doing a duet show on Sunday June 21st(Solstice!)- we will take a round-robin approach and trade off songs and stories all night. Ahhhh...just like my living room! The Folk Society's website is: http://www.victoriafolkmusic.ca/

The Contraband Swingclub swingin it home!

It's always nice to fall into your own bed after a serious night of Swingclub debauchery! The Swingclub play Silva Bay marina on Gabriola Island on June 20th, 09- ringing in the summer solstice! Come party down with us cause you know we love company and can't party all by ourselves! Actually we can and have,  but that's not the point-- See you there!

Swingclub plays the Tofino Food & Wine Fest!

Dinah D's Contraband Swingclub is highlighted this year(09) at the 7th Annual Tofino Food & Wine Festival. This is one of my favorite shows of the year- and it's SO exciting to be bringing the whole Swingclub out to play it with me! I think that guitarist Aaron Cadwaladr and I have played the TF&WF for at least 5 of the 7 years running! Hope to see you there!

CD Release a SMASH hit! 

Dinah D's Contraband Swingclub would like to thank everyone for coming to our awesome CD release party! MOST DEFINITLEY LIVE was launched in such style that we cannot even put the event into words in this short space! If you are itchin to have a copy of this fabulous CD in your hands you can visit our online distributor by going to our 'Music' page and clicking on 'Buy this CD'. We look forward to hearing feedback so please don't be shy about letting us know what you think! A special thanks to Penny White(for being fabulous!), Derek and Sarah(from the Gabriola Sounder),and CHLY 101.7(Radio Malaspina). You all are fabulous music supporters and I am glad you are in my life!

Most Definitely Live

The CD Release Party on March 21st(2009) !!!!The first day of spring seems like a fine time to launch a new CD! The Contraband Swingclub will be raring to swing the night away during their "Most Definitely Live" release party. Come join the fun, buy CDs, party with the band, get a custom 'swingclub' shirt. Looks like we'll be having the CD release party at the Gabriola Island Community Hall. Tickets will be $10, $20 includes preliminary swing dance lesson with Gwen Spinks from Wanna Dance. http://members.shaw.ca/wannadance/Wanna_Dance.html . $15 party only at the door. There will be a bar too! Tix on sale at Gabriola Artworks- call them 250-247-7412
 

DD's New Website Hits The Air

Welcome Fans!!.....exciting times in tinytown! This website is so shiny that the stickers haven't worn off yet. And that will take some serious wear and tear... Please take a moment to fill out my contact page so I can let you know when myself or one of my many projects is crawling up your street. I am planning to use this site for awhile. Thanks to Anthony Clark at Drift Industries for this incredibly well designed website. Also special thanks to Penny White at Penny White Consulting for all of the excellent photos you see on this website and so many others. I hope you can taste the champagne- cause I can...!!!

Download some Photos!