The music and story of Neil Diamond will make its way to the mid-Island Jan. 30 when award-winning tribute artist Jason Scott performs Diamond Forever: A Celebration of Neil Diamond at Parksville’s Canadian Legion Branch 49 hall.
The Cranbrook-based performer, who will be featured in a full-length documentary on Diamond tribute artists this year, will appear as a one-man show backed by a supporting musical track beginning at 7 p.m.
“Although Diamond Forever is a tribute to Neil Diamond, I don’t consider it to be an impersonation, but rather a celebration and the history of Neil Diamond,” Scott told the Chetwynd Echo prior to a show there last year. “It’s a Neil Diamond Party.”
Scott will be featured in Play Me, a motion picture about the on- and off-stage lives of 13 Neil Diamond Performance artists worldwide. He is the only Canadian featured in the film, which is set for release this spring.
Scott life has been steeped in music. He attended the Toronto Conservatory of Music beginning at age 5 and spent two decades touring as lead singer for a variety of cover and original bands. While on a cruise ship with his daughter in 1997 he “discovered” his talent for the voice and stylings of Neil Diamond, and has since taken Diamond Forever to stages internationally while also performing multiple times in Las Vegas.
In 2012, Scott won a Reel Award — the equivalent of a Grammy in the Tribute and Impersonator industry — in the Pop and Rock category for his tribute show.
Saturday’s 19+ concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall at 146 W. Hirst St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and food and drink will be available. Tickets are $25 and are available at the Legion. To inquire about ticket availability or for more info, call 250-248-6842 or email rcl49@shaw.ca.
— NEWS Staff and Jason Scott submission