Tanya Diona

Tanya Diona - vocalist, songwriter, recording artist, and proud member of "Ray Chew Live" on Season 10 of "American Idol" - is pleased to present her debut solo album, "Nothing to Prove... Something to Say."

An award-winning vocalist known for her Grand Canyon-sized voice, Tanya Diona's credits include such television broadcasts as Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Neighborhood Ball" for President Obama's inauguration, the 2008 Democratic National Convention, NBC's "The Singing Bee," and the Europe-wide telecast of 2009's "Save The World Awards" concert in Austria; as well as such live events as 2006's "New Orleans: Rebuilding The Soul Of America" – the benefit concert in New Orleans commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As a member of Ray Chew’s musical organization, she has had the honor of performing behind renowned recording artists including Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Tom Jones, TLC, Jennifer Lopez, Constantine Maroulis, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Shakira, John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Barry Manilow, The Village People, Deborah Harry, Taylor Dayne, Tony Basil, Jermaine Jackson, The Pointer Sisters, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, and Dr. John.

Originally from Western New York, Tanya began her professional career when she joined a newly formed reggae group in Buffalo, New York.  Soon she was singing dance, R&B/soul, jazz, rock, and pop music with numerous bands from the area (including her own) and traveling with them across the country and abroad. Tanya was twice honored at the Buffalo Music Awards as “Best R&B female vocalist.”  When several of her band members left to go on tour with Rick James, she sang in Las Vegas for a short while before heading to New York City. There she survived six times on the world famous Apollo Theater stage in Harlem, NY, including several first place wins, one of which was on nationally-syndicated “Showtime at the Apollo,” and went on to perform with numerous NYC and New Jersey bands and collaborate with some of New York’s finest songwriters and musicians. It was on stage at the World Trade Center in New York City that she first met her husband and writing partner Russell Graham, and the pair have had the unique privilege of both being selected to participate in some of the same high-profile projects and shows.

On "Nothing to Prove... Something to Say," Diona's first full-length CD release, she and Russell collaborate with industry veteran Joey Diggs (vocalist and vocal arranger for Rick James) to craft an album of songs that draw upon her Western New York roots, her Buffalo-area musical upbringing, and her New York City real-life experiences. Diona's broad vocal range provides a vast palette from which she can draw whatever emotion a song requires, intimate where appropriate, soaring where necessary.  Listeners will recognize and appreciate the solid musical foundation, grounded in funk and R&B reminiscent of Teena Marie, Rick James, Chaka Khan and the like; but with a modern-pop sensibility.  As the album title clearly states, Diona's songs and singing have nothing to prove - but something to say.

Tanya feels extremely blessed to have been a part of such historic and memorable musical experiences, and is eternally thankful to all of her family, friends and supporters!!