Highly acclaimed musician Laila Biali is a force on the jazz scene in her native Canada and beyond. The JUNO Award-winner’s distinctive voice is typically on dazzling display in her original music. Now, after ten years recording her own material, Biali turns her attention to the Great American Songbook with Your Requests, her ninth album as bandleader. Available now on ACT music. While showcasing her own impressive skill set, Biali gathers longtime collaborators for the outing: drummers Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy) and Ben Wittman along with bassist George Koller and tenor saxophonist Kelly Jefferson.
The shift back to more classic jazz material was inspired by Biali’s delight in fulfilling the song requests of her fans. When she asked her social media followers what tunes they’d like to hear her cover, more than 150 songs were submitted. Your Requests debuts the first collection of Biali’s dynamic and personal arrangements in response to her listeners, a “musical love letter.
Laila is on tour promoting her newest album. If you have the chance, check her out live!
May 28 – Berlin, DE – A-Trane
May 29 – Bad Meinberg, DE – Red Horn District
May 31 – Paris, FR – Sunset Sunside
June 1 – London, UK – Ronnie Scott’s
June 17 – Woodstock, GA – Elm Street Arts Village
June 22 – Winnipeg Jazz Festival*
June 23 – Medicine Hat Jazz Festival*
June 24 – Vancouver Jazz Festival*
June 27 – Ottawa Jazz Festival*
June 28 – Toronto Jazz Festival*
June 30 – Saskatoon Jazz Festival*
July 1 – Edmonton Jazz Festival*
July 7 – Montreal Jazz Festival*
July 15 – Niagara, CA
July 22 – Minneapolis
