Jason Scott of British Columbia has spent the past several years earning a good living doing his acclaimed impersonation of legendary American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. Scott will be bringing his show called Diamond Forever: A Celebration of Neil Diamond to the Osoyoos branch of the Royal Canadian Legion this Friday evening. Scott has captured numerous awards paying tribute to Diamond and has toured across North America over the past couple of years with the current show. Tickets are still available at the legion for Friday’s show. (Photo supplied)
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 American singer-songwriter.
Scott will be bringing his acclaimed tribute to Diamond to the Osoyoos branch of the Royal Canadian Legion this Friday night. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the legion.
“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.”
Diamond is not just a simple songwriter, but a composer and performer as well, said Scott.
“His music has that universality and timelessness that transcends his own personality and the personalities of anyone performing his music,” he said. “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.”
Scott’s musical resume is impeccable. He began attending the Toronto Conservatory of Music at the age of five, achieving first-degree honours by age 15.
In his twenties, Scott toured extensively with nightclub and concert bands and in his thirties, Scott was signed to a deal with a Canadian company as z recording artist, writer and performer.
In 2005 in Las Vegas, Scott was the first ever Canadian international performer to win the “Be a Legend” celebrity tribute artist competition for his incredible impersonation of Neil Diamond, at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.
Scott was awarded the Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Tribute Artists Best Platinum Showcase Award in 2010.
In February of 2011, Scott not only won the second place “2nd Annual Vegas Tribute Artist” trophy, but was honoured to be invited to perform as the opening act for the the Country Superstars show at the famous Golden Nugget Showroom.
Scott has toured across North America over the past few years performing his remarkable career retrospective of Diamond’s long list of hits.
Scott will soon be featured in the upcoming documentary of Diamond’s life and musical career in the film called Play Me.
The feature-length documentary will be showcasing the lives of numerous Diamond impersonators from around the world.
Scott’s tribute to Neil Diamond’s enhanced by background stories, humour, authentic costuming, studio recorded audio tracks and incredibly realistic vocals.
“I want to create a sight and sound experience that transports delighted Neil Diamond fans, old and young, down memory lane,” said Scott. “This music bridge’s generations. The show is structured, but also spontaneous, loose and huge fun as the performance is very audience interactive. Sometimes I find myself in the crowd and then other times I’ve found some of the audience on stage with me.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
