Ready to Krall

Jazz singer Diana Krall is bringing her sultry voice to the Orange

County Performing Arts Center on Feb. 11 in support of her new record,

“When I Look in Your Eyes.”

The Canadian vocalist with the diva looks is known for her

cabaret-style work with a trio on the Grammy-nominated 1997 record “Love

Scenes” and the 1995 album “Only Trust Your Heart.”

Krall’s new release -- which is up for a Grammy for Best Album this

year -- moves beyond those early recordings with the addition of sparing

orchestration by Johnny Mandel, known for his work with Frank Sinatra and

Joao Gilberto. On tunes such as “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” and

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” Mandel’s deft arrangements complement

Krall’s rich vocal gifts.

That voice -- which is deeper, breathier and more powerful than one

might expect from a woman as slight and seemingly delicate as Krall -- is

a remarkably versatile instrument. Krall cites artists such as Cole

Porter and Fats Waller as influences, but in her new recording the

nuances of her singing call up thoughts of Ella Fitzgerald and Sinatra.

Then again, Krall’s version of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” a tune

that Sinatra seemed to have recorded perfectly, brings a new and quite

distinct feeling to the song’s lyrics. She sings it not with the bouncy

energy of Old Blue Eyes but with a slow, urgent drive that is utterly her

own.

Krall performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 in Founders Hall. The Center is at

600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $46 and $52. For more

information, call (714) 740-7878.