LAILA BIALI AND ALL THAT JAZZ
Artist releases a rich, diverse album
The new, eponymous album from Vancouver-raised, Torontobased singer-songwriter-pianist-CBC radio show host Laila Biali is her most rich and diverse outing yet. Laila Biali ably blends the colours and sophistication of jazz with lush, savvy arranging and the infectious grooves of pop.
Before beginning a heavy slate of touring this week, the 37-yearold, who has performed with Sting, Chris Botti and Suzanne Vega, discussed her latest music, her attempts to reach new listeners, and the rigours of being on the road.
Q How would you describe your new album?
A The new album brings together all the creative spaces I’ve been exploring over the years — as a singer, as a pianist, as an arranger, and as a writer. We cast a wide net and recorded 21 songs, which we then distilled down to the 12 that felt the most cohesive. I wanted the song forms to be succinct, but also expansive.
Q What hopes do you have for the record?
A We painstakingly weighed various options when we were looking at a strategic global release plan, and I am very excited to see how the involvement of the various labels we’ve chosen to partner with will help the music reach new listeners, especially ACT Music in Europe. And, of course, I hope existing fans will jump on board!
Q Tell me more about your efforts to bring your music to European audiences.
A My European agent, Catherine Mayer, introduced my music to ACT, and they came out to a showcase in New York City in January of 2016. The following April, I showcased at jazzahead! (a mammoth jazz trade show/ festival) in Bremen, and that’s when I sat down with ACT and began to really look at possibilities. It felt like a long journey to get to where we are now, but it was worth it!
In general, Europe feels like it holds unique potential for me as a touring artist. It’s been really encouraging to see how receptive audiences and critics over there have been thus far.
Q Your upcoming touring sees you play venues as big as Koerner Hall in Toronto (more than 1,000 seats) and as small as GigSpace in Ottawa (fewer than 50 seats). What difference does the size of the venue make in how you perform, and how the performance feels for you?
A It’s all about the vibe of the space. Koerner Hall is a rarity in that, while it is a significant size, the feeling of the room is intimate. GigSpace, of course, is intimate! I happen to really like the variety. Large concert stages encourage the music to expand in exciting ways while smaller rooms facili-
tate a uniquely close exchange between the band and audience.
Q You have more than 30 dates in almost as many cities in the first three months of 2018. What feelings, positive and negative, do you have about touring so heavily?
A I love the road. It’s where I feel the most alive. That said, my family is the most important piece of my life, and that many days away can feel a bit daunting. We try to ensure there are little breaks between touring stints so I can get home to spend some quality time with my husband Ben and son Josh. They will also join me on the road, intermittently. It’s all a grand adventure!
Q After your last, 20-date Western Canada tour recently wrapped up, you wrote on Facebook: “(Now) I get to spend a whole month, one on one, with my boy!!” How do you balance an artist’s life with family life?
A In the day-to-day, it’s about trying to integrate our worlds. Josh started piano lessons last spring, and Ben and I have a very open attitude towards him when it comes to music. He knows he is always welcome to join in the mix, and what begins as solo practice sessions do often expand into group jam sessions.
When I’m away from home, it’s all about FaceTime — setting up and maintaining a consistent time when I connect with Josh, even just briefly.
We’ll read stories together over the phone or Skype, he’ll give me visual tours of what he’s been working on in school, and I also like to give him a glimpse of where I am. We do our best, and we keep a very active dialogue going, where all three of us weigh in on what we feel is working and what needs to change.