Laila Biali
"My Funny Valentine"
feat. Kurt Elling
JUNO Award winning vocalist/pianist Laila Biali and multi GRAMMY winner Kurt Elling offer a tender duet version of the jazz standard and love song, My Funny Valentine. Laila's arrangement gently moves away from quintessential recordings of the classic ballad with subtle reharmonizations, her breathy and intimate vocal delivery a lovely counterpoint to Kurt's playful, adventurous approach. Kelly Jefferson's performance on tenor only adds to the warmth of this heartfelt track, releasing just in time for Valentine's Day but perfect for romantic playlists year-round.
Laila Biali – vocals, piano, arrangement
Kurt Elling – guest vocals
Kelly Jefferson – tenor sax
George Koller – bass
Larnell Lewis – drums
Enjoy Laila's latest video - a beautiful visual accompaniment to her arrangement of Autumn Leaves
Laila Biali
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. In 2020, Laila was honoured by SOCAN Music with the Hagood Hardy Award for Excellence in Songwriting. In 2019, Laila’s eponymous release won her a JUNO (Canada's GRAMMY) for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.” The year prior, she was awarded top prize at the Canadian Songwriting Competition in the Jazz category. 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) and Out of Dust (2020). 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. 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). Laila's highly anticipated album, Out of Dust, which features multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners including Lisa Fischer, Alan Ferber, John Ellis, and Larnell Lewis, released March 27, 2020 and was also nominated for a 2021 JUNO Award.
"The album's production is shimmering, the arrangements are lush and Biali's voice – spanning registers – is pure and warm. She's also fearless on piano and, above else, in her imagination. ★★★★" – DownBeat Magazine
"There's no boxing Laila Biali in ... Capable of making you laugh and cry all at once, her delivery Out of Dust is divine. 4.5 stars." – All About Jazz
"Out of Dust sparkles like a soundtrack for spring." – The Vancouver Sun
"Biali provides the positive, come-together messaging we need in these challenging times.” – Parade
Magazine
"... moving, inspiring, and life-affirming songs." – SOCAN Music
"This is a wholly confident record from the Juno winner, who continues to be one of the most talented and compelling artists in Canada. Out of Dust is another big step toward global stardom." – JAZZFM.91
“Masterfully mixes jazz and pop, bringing virtuosity and unpredictability to songs that are concise and catchy” – The Washington Post
“A keyboard virtuoso with a distinctive sultry voice - intimate and emotional.” – Toronto Star
“Accomplished and brave ... a gifted player and natural risk taker” – Exclaim! (CA)
“Mellifluous vocals, dynamic pianism and hook-laden songs” – Jazzwise (UK)