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Laila Biali
Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali has toured with Chris Botti, Paula Cole, Suzanne Vega and Sting. She has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents including Carnegie Hall. Her accolades include “SOCAN Composer of the Year” and “Keyboardist of the Year” at Canada’s National Jazz Awards, a JUNO nomination for her studio recording Tracing Light, and a spot on DownBeat Magazine’s “Best Albums of the Year” list for her follow-up Live in Concert. In 2015, Laila released her first album of entirely original music, House of Many Rooms – an indie-pop project featuring a star-studded lineup including the vocalist Lisa Fischer, who is featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary 20 Feet From Stardom. In September of 2017, Laila was brought on as the host for CBC Music’s national radio show, Saturday Night Jazz. Her latest project, a self-titled album released in January of 2018, debuted at #1 on iTunes Canada and won Laila the top prize for Jazz in this year’s Canadian Songwriting Competition. And while she continues to earn high honours in the Jazz world, Laila’s unique genre-bending sound is what sets her apart as she “masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy.” (Washington Post)
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”It is the ultimate task given to the musician, whether as singer or instrumentalist, to create a
unique signature or fingerprint that is instantly recognisable as their own. What is surprising
and delightful in Laila Biali is that both as vocalist and pianist she accomplishes this with
equal aplomb. She is an exciting and unique talent, and I admire her greatly.” —Sting
“Laila Biali sings her wide-embrace jazz-pop fusion in steadily varied, blues-tinged song forms with keen passion and witty humanism... [Her] aim is true and her vision is set far and wide.” –DownBeat Magazine
“LAILA BIALI masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy.” –Washington Post
“With Laila Biali’s mellifluous vocals, dynamic pianism and ability for penning hook-laden songs, her reputation is surely going to flourish further afield.” –Jazzwise Magazine (UK)
“Hand clapping, finger snapping exuberant funky goodness, gorgeously lush vocals, and a solidly memorable hook” –Parade Magazine
“Laila Biali has found a sweet spot applying a musical toolkit brimming with jazz devices to her pop craftsmanship.” –Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News
“Biali has a voice that makes the listener shudder, it is so rounded and pure.” —Montreal Gazette
“A keyboard virtuoso with a distinctive sultry voice - intimate and emotional.” —Toronto Star
“For Biali, the jazz tradition is a step on the way to setting, and playing, her own standards.” —Toronto Life Magazine
“Full of bold musical ventures, youthful funkiness, ingenuity, verve and depth.” —Ottawa Citizen
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Discography
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Last Updated: December 17, 2018
Showcase
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A Moment of You by Daniela Soledade
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Playing The Room by Avishai Cohen - Trumpet
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Roma by Enrico Rava
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It's Morning by Led Bib
