Links to some of my favourite things…
If you don’t know the music of my friend Laila Biali, you’re in for a treat. Laila is a Canadian, born in Vancouver, resident of Toronto, now based in New York. She’s a multi-talented vocalist/pianist/composer/arranger. Laila is classically trained, and her style ranges from jazz, to pop, to singer/songwriter material; from standards, to original compositions, to fresh arrangements of the Canadian songbook.
The Laila Biali Trio performing at special 5th anniversary celebration sold-out concert @ Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto in February, 2012, with bassist George Koller and drummer Larnell Lewis.
She was the 2011 JUNO nominee for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for her latest release, Tracing Light; it and her previous album, From Sea to Sky, received rave reviews from many commentators. In addition to headling her own shows, usually with her incredibly talented trio members George Koller on bass and Larnell Lewis on drums, Laila has toured internationally with Sting, Chris Botti, Paula Cole, Suzanne Vega, and Linda Eder.
Wendy Elaine Nelles 