LAILA BIALI
Pianist, vocalist, composer

She has a clear and sultry alto, a good ear for standards and a way with the ivories.....Whether she's writing for a big band or a pared-down trio, her sparkling melodies and loping bass grooves set off her searching, playful solos.

For Biali, the jazz tradition is a step on the way to setting, and playing, her own standards.

-Mike Doherty, Toronto Life Magazine

Audiences and critics spotted it from the moment composer, pianist and singer, LAILA BIALI, broke onto the music scene in her early twenties: she is an artist with a singular sound evolving out of a broad and eclectic blend of influences…from Chopin to Keith Jarrett, Joni Mitchell, and Bjork…to becoming wonderfully her own. Honoured as both SOCAN Composer of the Year and Keyboardist of the Year at the 2005 National Jazz Awards, Laila has already showcased her original music at world-class venues spanning three continents, including New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the acclaimed North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, and the International Jazz Festival in Lima, Peru - evidence that her compositions, playing, and singing are garnering not only national attention but world-wide recognition as well.

One of Laila’s most prominent qualities is her musical diversity. Not limited to one genre, she is an incredibly versatile musician who can seamlessly move between all styles of music, displaying a keen jazz sensibility, the sensitivity and technical command required by classical music, and the strong rhythm and groove needed to play more pop and funk-oriented material. This versatility comes as no surprise since Laila’s own compositions typically cross several different genres, putting her music in its own category. Her versatility has won her touring engagements with top-tier artists over the past few years, from jazz trumpeter Chris Botti to sophisticated singer-songwriter, Paula Cole, and platinum recording artist, Suzanne Vega.

Laila’s first independent recording, INTRODUCING THE LAILA BIALI TRIO (January 2005) was followed by the September 2006 release of LAILA LIVE, the live version of her earlier studio recording. Laila’s latest project for CBC Records, FROM SEA TO SKY, which showcases an all-star cast of players including Don Thompson, Guido Basso, Phil Dwyer, Rob Piltch, George Koller, and Larnell Lewis, was released in June 2007 to rave reviews. The Toronto Star named it a “surefire winner” (four out of four stars); the Montreal Gazette called it an “exceptional recording” by an “extraordinary talent” with cause for “celebration and recognition” (five out of five stars – Instant Classic); and the Vancouver Province claimed “this screams ‘Juno.’ It even whispers ‘Grammy.’ Superb.”

Aside from her very active performing schedule, Laila is also frequently invited to join the faculty for the widely-acclaimed Stanford Jazz Workshop at Stanford University, where she has spent several summers teaching and performing. In response to her expanding international presence, Laila has recently moved to New York City, and will be dividing her time between Toronto and New York over the next few years.

She’s a player of unlimited potential….her feet are firmly planted on the ladder to success.

-Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star

A winning combination of confidence and command that promises only good things…

-Mark Miller, Globe and Mail

lailabiali | 646.415.0609

www.lailabiali.com | info@lailabiali.com

Please refer to Laila's calendar for upcoming shows and events.