Diane Risk Extended Bio

While playing piano for her High School choir in Evansville Indiana, Diane Risk was overheard singing by her Music Director. Although she had her eyes set on playing piano in the orchestra pit, her music teacher encouraged her to audition for the upcoming school musical. Seemly coming out of nowhere, she got the leading role in “South Pacific.” playing Nellie Forbush. Diane was a natural actress and gifted singer, and has captured the attention of audiences ever since with her down-to-earth charm and sense of humor.

After high school, Risk cultivated her voice and went on to study vocal performance at the prestigious Indiana University where she earned a Bachelor of Music. While singing at a dinner theater in Florida during summer break, she was awarded a contract to sing for Royal Viking Cruise Lines and traveled around the world.

Throughout the 80’s, Risk performed for 1000’s of audience’s in hotel’s and night clubs, while building her career in the recording business. Producing jingles and station ID’s for area business, Diane built the largest digital recording facility in Northern California and became well known for singing “Lights Out Sacramento” for the Jazz station 100.5 The Point.

Sacramento base player Gil Lester called Diane at her studio and invited her to come and hear his group that featured the talented Bob Fylling on piano. That introduction has cultivated a long and wonderful relationship that produced Diane’s first CD with the Gil Lester Trio. The fine musicianship of Bob and Gil unleashed Diane’s vocal capabilities as a Jazz singer, introducing her to such jazz influences as Diana Krall and Frank Sinatra. Combining that with Risks’ wide musical background including Pop, R & B, Rock, Broadway, Opera and Blues has created a truly delightful vocal sound. Her treatment of popular Jazz Standards is both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Diane Risk and the Gil Lester Trio released their 2nd CD in March 2005, featuring popular songs such as At Last, Fly Me to the Moon and Who Can I Turn To.