(She met her husband – drummer Ben Wittman – on tour with Cole.) Her accolades include a 2019 JUNO Award for “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year”, “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 2009 she performed live on NBC Today, The View and David Letterman with Sting as one of his back-up singers. Even the album’s sole cover, holds special meaning for Biali – she sang an ethereal version of the Gregory Porter song at her friend’s memorial. Instead of giving into the darkness, The political is personal on the brassy album opener, Transforming global tumult into an inspiring call-to-arms, she sings with the clear-eyed confidence of a warrior, “Come on down/There’s a fire underground!” This fervor animates the entire album, even its quieter, more personal moments: a piano ballad dedicated to the friend she lost, turns the details of a single life into a powerful epic; which she co-wrote with her husband, frankly addresses the after-effects of a family member’s struggle with mental health issues; – co-written with Joshua Biali-Wittman – bluntly acknowledges the reality of healing with Biali singing that it’s OK to “pull the sheets over your head” and “unwind” when you need to. While Laila continues to earn high honours in the Jazz world, her signature sound transcends genre as she "masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy" (Washington Post).
For nearly every major conquest—a highly acclaimed return to jazz, winning the JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, touring the world—the singer-songwriter has faced a private debilitating crisis. And while Laila continues to earn high honours in the Jazz world, her 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) Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali has toured with Chris Botti, Paula Cole, Suzanne Vega and Sting.
Her first independent album, Introducing the Laila Biali Trio, was released in
Laila Biali has had a solid career as a pianist and singer. In September of 2017, Laila was brought on as the host for CBC Music’s national radio show, Saturday Night Jazz. As a side musician, she has worked with Chris Botti, Sting, Dave Brubeck, Paula Cole, and Suzanne Vega.Her sound melds bright contemporary jazz with modern and Great American songbook-era pop. She was a rising star in Toronto jazz circles after she graduated from Humber College in 2002. Out Of Dust - Available Now LailaBiali.com. It was a period of change and heartache—but it was also a season of great inspiration and hope.
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 the Canadian Songwriting Competition as well as a JUNO Award (Canadian GRAMMY). Laila was also the youngest-ever double winner at Canada’s National Jazz Awards when she was named "SOCAN Composer of the Year" and "Keyboardist of the Year.” She received her first JUNO nomination for Tracing Light (2011), and a spot on DownBeat Magazine's "Best Albums of the Year" for Live in Concert (2013).
Laila Biali is an award-winning Canadian jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and bandleader. LAILA BIALI. 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, a weekly show broadcast to listeners across Canada. Out of Dust Release Date: March 27, 2020 Canada: Chronograph Records Europe: ACT Music Out of Dust is JUNO-award winning vocalist, pianist and composer Laila Biali's most personal album to date - it's a documentation of the trials and triumphs that the songstress has encountered during recent years. LAILA BIALI. In 2009 she performed live on NBC Today, The View, and David Letterman as a backup singer for Sting. She recorded the DVD for If On a Winter's Night with Sting in Tuscany in August 2009. For nearly every major triumph—a highly acclaimed return to jazz, winning the JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, touring the world—the singer-songwriter has faced a private debilitating crisis. “These new songs took shape as I processed my own feelings of doubt and loss,” Biali reveals. “‘He makes beautiful things out of dust.’ That's where the title for the album comes from, and as a songwriter and musician, my ultimate intention and hope is to spread a little more love and light.” This album is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Wendy Nelles & Kitty Leech.Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist and CBC Music national radio host Laila Biali has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents from New York City's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, and supported international icon Sting. The last few years have been a roller-coaster for Laila Biali. Her first independent album was released in 2003, Introducing the Laila Biali Trio. , this eleven-track collection is brought to fruition by an impressive line-up that includes multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners: vocalist , who composed each of the horn arrangements heard throughout the recording.