A few of my all-time favourite musicians are Sting, Bjork, Radiohead, K.T. Tunstall, Toronto Mass Choir, Enter the Worship Circle, Stravinsky, Ravel, Chopin, Dianne Reeves, Billy Childs, Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, Jamiroquai, Joni Mitchell, Brian Blade, Maria Schneider, Kenny Wheeler, Geoff Keezer, U2, Coldplay, Joshua Redman, Lauryn Hill
Record Label
"From Sea to Sky" is on CBC Records; other = Indie
Since climbing up onto the piano bench at the tender age of three-and-a-half years, Laila has cultivated a life-long love for the instrument. She has also always loved to sing. It was in later years – particularly during her post-secondary education at Toronto Humber College’s jazz program - that the composer in Laila emerged, and in 2005 she was named “SOCAN Composer of the Year” and “Keyboardist of the Year” at the Canadian National Jazz Awards.
Over the past 10 years, Laila’s playing, composing and singing have brought her onto stages around the world both as a solo artist and as part of internationally renowned touring acts. She has performed her own music at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City and at festivals across Canada, the United States, Europe, Brazil and Peru, and she has toured with several Grammy Award winning artists, including Chris Botti, Paula Cole, and Suzanne Vega.
As a recording artist, Laila has already released three independent CD’s. Her most recent recording, From Sea to Sky (June 2007) received rave reviews, and she is currently working on a new recording project that she intends to release within the next year.
Aside from her active performing schedule, Laila is also frequently invited to teach at Stanford University’s summer jazz workshop. A recent arrival to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, she will be dividing her time between Toronto and New York City over the next few years.
Dropping in to let you know of our show on July 25th at "Lee's Palace" getting ready to release our album with Producer Steve Thompson (G&R, Metallica, Korn, etc...) drops this fall.
Hi Laila: Nice meeting you at the Iron Works. Great music and the flamenco addition was a nice touch. I actually wasn't sure if it was part of the performance or an enthusiastic fan. Glad you could make it back to Vancouver.
Its' been a while since we last wrote each other. Hope you're doing well. I'm hoping to make one of your gigs one of these days. I wanted to let you know I heard your rendition of Sarah McLaughlin's "Ice Cream" on jazz fm. 91 today and loved it!Wish me luck on my debut jazz c.d. I'll be recording this fall with wonderful musicians. My brilliant pianist,Jordan Klapman and his trio.
Much love to you,and I sincerely hope we can meet each other sometime in the near future.
Radiance and its cousin luminance are good indicators of how bright an object will appear. For this reason, radiance and luminance are both sometimes called "brightness"....hence 'The Radiance Project' will brighten the musical world..4sure..your music is beautiful!
Hi Laila! Since its "International Friendship Week" now, I thought this is the best time to wish u...of course friends don't really need an occasion to tell each other :) May we remain friends forever...bless!
