From Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood, through the turbulence of the 1960’s and on into the 21st century, the songs of Neil Diamond continue to attract new fans to go along with the legions of old.
A show such as Jason Scott’s “Diamond Forever a Celebration of Neil Diamond” is an extremely entertaining recognition to the music and talent of this legendary singer-songwriter.
“Neil Diamond has recorded his music so many times, and changed it so much, that interpreting that music can in itself be an art,” said Scott, creator and performance artist for the one-man live stage extravaganza. “When you look at Neil Diamond’s history and career of six decades, you realize the music and the possibilities of that music are unlimited.”
The process of interpreting Neil Diamond’s harmonious combination of notes is not dissimilar to a symphony conductor interpreting the music of Beethoven from a score.
Certainly Neil Diamond is not just a simple songwriter, but a composer and performer as well. His music has that universality and timelessness that transcends his own personality, and the personalities of anyone performing his music. The proof of this is the audience itself, crossing all generations, with new fans added every year, and the songs themselves, which are so well known as to be archetypal.
Jason Scott’s musical resumé is impeccable. He began attending the Conservatory of Music in Toronto at the age of five, achieving first-degree honours and graduation by age 15. In his twenties, Scott toured extensively with nightclub and concert bands and in his thirties Scott was a Canadian record label signed recording artist, writer and performer.
2005 in Las Vegas, Scott was the first ever Canadian international performer to win the Be a Legend celebrity tribute artist competition as Neil Diamond, at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino. A well-received audition followed with On Stage Entertainment owners of the world famous Legends in Concert.
September of 2010 Scott was awarded the Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Tribute Artists Best Platinum Showcase Award. In February 2011 Scott not only won the second place 2nd Annual Vegas Tribute Artist trophy, but was honoured to be specially invited to perform as the opening act for the headlining Country Superstars show at the fabulous Las Vegas Golden Nugget Showroom.
February 2012, Scott returned to Las Vegas and performed his award winning show on the First Street Stage, breaking attendance records at The Fremont Street Experience.
Scott has made hit appearances at The Rosen Plaza Hotel as well as The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort at Disneyworld in Orlando Florida and aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship The Monarch of The Seas. He has appeared in Las Vegas at The Greek Isles Hotel and Casino, The South Point Hotel Casino and Spa, The Imperial Palace and before its demolition, the world famous Stardust Resort and Casino. More recently for the last two consecutive years, Scott has performed his Diamond Forever show on the Las Vegas First Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience.
The latest, biggest news was the official press release that came this past April 2014 announcing that British Columbia - based Scott from the show Diamond Forever a Celebration of Neil Diamond will be the only Canadian Neil Diamond performance artist, cast in an upcoming feature length motion picture titled Diamond Mountain.
Currently in post-production preparing for release this fall 2016, this motion picture was filmed in the United States, England, Ireland, Australia, Santiago Chili, South America and British Columbia, Canada. Scott was honoured to be the only Canadian “Neil” performance artist chosen to be part of this film’s 14 artist multi-national cast.
“The music bridges generations”, said Scott, “The show is structured but also spontaneous, loose and huge fun as it’s very audience connected. Sometimes I find myself in the crowd and then other times I’ve found some of the audience on stage with me. The show is one big ‘Neil Diamond” Party.’”
Neil Diamond himself has said, “If I had one message I would say be open and receptive to the music and possibilities without giving it too much thought. Really feel it and it will be an immensely worthwhile experience.”
Such a show to experience is Jason Scott’s “Diamond Forever a Celebration of Neil Diamond” coming to the Sparwood Royal Canadian Legion on Saturday Oct. 22. Tickets for the show are $25 and Scott will take the stage at 7:00 p.m. For more information call 250-425-0081.