Layla has performed with musicians from all over the world. She is known for being able to sit-in with any band. She has sung with Jeff Healey, the Downchild Blues Band, Danny Marks, David Gogo, Ken Hamm, Doug Cox, Al Webster, Dave Murphy, Alec Fraser, Bill Johnson band, Jerome Godboo, Dave Rotundo band, Suzie Vinnick, Rick Fines, Paul Pigat, Michael Jerome Brown, Ken and Chris Whiteley, Pat Stewart (the Odds), Vince R. Ditrich (Spirit of the West),Marg Stowe, Carlos Del Junco, Roxanne Potvin, Treasa Levasseur, Dawn Tyler Watson, Johnny Ferreira, Paul Wainwright, Damien Graham, Casey Ryder, Marty Sammon (keyboard player for Buddy Guy, Otis Rush) the Robbie Burns band, Pistol Pete, Pete Galanis(guitar for Hubert Sumlin), Rick King(drums for Koko Taylor),Giles Corey(guitar for Otis Rush), Daryl Wright(bass for Mavis Staples), Gerry Barnum, Chris Raines, Tony Toly, Reid Barton (Alibi), Mike Jarvis, Timo Pratskin, Carrie Chestnut, Bob Vespaziani, Julian Fauth, Wayne Charles, Derrick "D'Mar" Martin (Little Richard, Big Jack Johnson), Jessie Williams (Big Jack Johnson),Lily Sazz, Garrett Mason, Douglas Watson, Pat Carey, Lance Anderson, the Sab Family Band, the Pie Guys, Shakura S'Aida, Javva, Larry Kurtz, Trouble and Strife, Michelle Josef, Brandi Disterheft, Sarah McElcheran, Bob Tyrrell, Alec Watson and many more.
Biography- Layla Zoe
Layla Zoe has been called "the Reincarnate of Janis Joplin" and deemed Canada's "Darling of the blues."
She is a young powerful vocalist who was born in British Columbia, Canada. However she now calls Toronto her home after a recent move.
Layla Zoe has been singing since the tender age of four years old, including performances with her father's band at the age of fourteen. She has performed all over the world and has been accepted as one of the best female blues singers in places such as Finland, Chicago, Vancouver Island, Toronto and even New York city.
Layla has worked to release an album every year, and has four independent releases to date: You Will, Shades of Blue, Hoochie Coochie Woman, and Live at Errington Hall. Her albums can be heard on radio all over the world and showcase many of Layla's original songs as well as classic cover tunes.
Her albums, as well as her ability to stun crowds with her power and talent, has been critically acclaimed by the media and reviewed and showcased in publications such as: Canadian Musician Magazine, the Globe and Mail (Toronto), Toronto Blues Society monthly edition, DOWNBEAT magazine (Illinois, USA), Blues Matters (UK), Crossroads (France) and many more.
Layla Zoe took home the "Female Vocalist of the Year" award at the Vancouver Island Music Awards in 2006 and won the Compo 10 International blues songwriting competition in Jaarvenpaa, Finland in 2006. She was the only woman and the only Canadian to make it to the finals of the Compo 10 contest in Finland and she humbly took home the prize.
Layla Zoe has performed with the late great Jeff Healey, the Downchild Blues Band, and countless others, who have sung high praises of Layla's ability to channle her strong emotions into her performances. She has also been recognized for her songwriting and professionalism.
Layla Zoe is being considered for a hollywood production of the Life of Janis Joplin, and has already been asked to sing the soundtrack for this upcoming film. Layla Zoe is a force to be reckoned with, and is changing the face of the blues and roots music scene.
DOWN BEAT Magazine- Frank-John Hadley (Jan/08 edition):
"Zoe's a talent to keep tabs on. Possessed of formidable lung power and control-her closest antecedent being the young Tracy Nelson."
BLUES MATTERS magazine, England- Graeme Scott (Dec/07):
"Layla is possessed with one of those fantastic Maggie Bell, Janis Joplin or Kitto voices that reach down into your soul and is able to rip your heart out."
CANADIAN MUSICIAN MAGAZINE-"Musicians who care" article(Mar/Apr/07)
:
"Layla is a gifted blues singer from Nanaimo, BC on Vancouver Island; she plays with passion, has a loyal following, and most of all, she is not waiting for a break to make a difference."
GLOBE AND MAIL- Brad Wheeler (Dec/07):
"Vancouver jaw-singer Layla Zoe walked the divide of Janis Joplin and Joss Stone, showing off her tattoos and a suggestive nature that drew wolf whistles and applause from the male part of the audience. A brawny Hoochie-Coochie Woman was what she sang – and was."
NOW magazine, Toronto (Dec/07):
"BC's Layla Zoe almost stole the whole show with her long red hair, glittery blue dress and skyscraper, tattoo-adorned legs. Her seductively serpentine sway and Joplinesque energy during No More Stormy Mondays and Hoochie Coochie Woman had the crowd hypnotized."
TORONTO BLUES SOCIETY- John Valenteyn:
"Ms. Zoe left behind a very impressive CD. It shows her to be a powerful singer and a very good songwriter."
DANNY MARKS/GUITARIST/HOST OF BLUZ.FM:
"I had that 1950 ES5, the T-Bone guitar. It was tuned down to an open tuning and I was picking some Elizabeth Cotton. She said, ‘I love that song’. I thought, ‘I hope this girl can sing’. Turns out she can. Layla’s vote of confidence in my picking, as a complete stranger, led to us playing together a lot. I get a real lift out of it."
ERIC CLAPTON/(Myspace comment):
"Great blues!"
LITTLE FEAT/(Myspace comment)
:
"Enjoyed your songs."
BILL BOTTRELL/(Myspace comment)
:
"Keep smackin' 'em till they listen. Especially those you need."
JAZZ ELEMENTS.COM
:
"Layla Zoe, the 29 year old blues guitarist and singer from Vancouver, has won the prestigious International Blues Heritage Contest in Finland. Canada’s Darling of the Blues To Perform at Finn Festival in 2008."
VINCE R. DITRICH/Spirit of the West/Vinsynch:
"Some singers are like sports cars, some are like pickup trucks. Layla is a 440 Six Pack
at full throttle. Fasten the 5 point restraints,
folks..."
RICHARD SALES/guitarist for Hayley Sales/Glasswing Studios:
"Powerful voice,clean recording,great playing, great songs, strong emotion...what else is there?"
BILL JOHNSON/the Bill Johnson Band:
"Layla convinced me she was a great musician the first time I heard her sing. It took all of 15 seconds. I remain her devoted fan. I hope the rest of the world catches on soon."
I love the new pic, its really cute!! Hope all is well, im on tour with my boss right now - but will be back in toronto for Virgn Music Fest! Hope all is well, and we see you when you come home!
hope all is good with you baby, were gonna be relocating our shop in october so its been real busy.sure do wanna see you beautiful. i see youve been travelin getting tattooed thats great! lots of love, george
