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Preview of concert from 2004-03-05: Vancouver, Fairmont Hotel; fundraiser for Vancouver General Hospital - with Diana Krall
CTV.ca, 2004-03-04

 

  

Krall, Costello arrive in Vancouver for benefit

Canadian Press

VANCOUVER — Diana Krall said she hasn't figured out a song list for the concert she's playing Friday with her rocker husband Elvis Costello and her friend Elton John.

The plan is to be spontaneous at the intimate benefit in celebration of her late mother and play old songs that make people happy. "The music is the last of my concerns almost. I'm just going to be completely in the moment, hope I don't break the heel off my shoe," the jazz siren told a press conference Thursday with Costello at her side.

"It's about continuing on after very tough couple of years with a positive light and my mother whispering in our ear. It's a fantastic thing to feel and maybe shut the door, you know."

Krall is hosting the concert as a way of thanking leukemia program workers at Vancouver General Hospital who cared for her late mother, Adella, who died in May 2002.

Since 1998, Krall has held concerts raising over $500,000 for the program. The money has gone towards medical equipment and assisting out-of-town patients.

This latest blockbuster benefit - the first since her mom's death - will be held Friday at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. There are only 600 seats, sold exclusively to patrons of the leukemia program, giving fans a chance to see the performers up close.

"It's not often you get to see Elton John in a hotel ballroom," remarked Elvis Costello.

Krall said it was very important to John, who opened his home up to the couple for their wedding, to take part.

"We saw him last summer and he said 'Diana, let's set a date for the benefit. I can do it March 5, I've got a window.'

"He's very committed to things that are important, he's very generous and he's been a dear friend to us."

There have been rumours that the love-in would be made official, with John reportedly planning to marry his longtime partner, David Furnish, while in Vancouver.

John has denied the reports though, saying that while he supports same-sex marriage, he has no plans to get married himself.

Furnish is from Toronto, the city that allowed Canada's first same-sex wedding last June.

The ever-popular John, along with Costello and Krall, could easily have raised more money by playing a larger venue but Krall said they wanted to make sure the focus - celebrating love and fighting disease - wasn't lost.

Over the years, Krall has helped raise over half a million dollars for the hospital's leukemia and bone marrow transplantation program. Money raised from Friday's show will go towards outfitting a new out-patient centre for the program, which has become internationally recognized as a leading centre for treatment and clinical research.

Krall said she will continue to play more benefit concerts for the leukemia program and when asked how she could ever top this year she coyly replied: "Tony Bennet? Who knows, the future looks very bright."

 
         
 

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