Crossover Media

JUNO Award-winning artist, Laila Biali, graces us with her stunning Joni Michell cover of the classic love song, A Case Of You, just in time for Valentine's Day! Accompanying the track is a captivating video of the live performance captured live off the floor at Revolution Recording Studios – inviting any listener into the moment with Biali. Watch the full video here.

Arranged by Biali, and her husband, Ben Wittman, on djembe, alongside George Koller on upright bass, this heartfelt interpretation was created with Valentine's Day in mind. A Case Of You was featured earlier this week on CBC Metro Morning, giving listeners an exclusive first preview of the track ahead of its release today.

"My first experience hearing Joni Mitchell's music was when I was still a music student at Humber College," shares Biali. "Hejira and Mingus were the obvious starting point for a Jazz novice as equally interested in the musicians accompanying Joni as in Joni herself. But then along came Blue. That was the one, the album that triggered a lifelong fascination with Joni and her songwriting. She made my heart ache with every feeling, love and loss in the same breath. No song captures that more for me than A Case of You. I think it's the ultimate Valentine's song because it can reach you no matter where you're at – whether you're in love, longing for it, or mourning it."

The Jazz Session chats with Laila Biali

Posted At: March 17, 2021 12:00 AM

Laila Biali just received a JUNO nomination for her 2020 album Out Of Dust, released during the pandemic and inspired by a challenging year in her personal life. "These new songs took shape as I processed my own feelings of doubt and loss," Biali reveals. "I believe that nothing is wasted, that even life's greatest challenges can produce something meaningful, even if only to make us more aw...
'Straight No Chaser' podcast is talking ballads and love songs with Laila Biali

Posted At: February 16, 2021 12:00 AM

Straight No Chaser's jeffrey Siegel writes......For Valentine's Day this year, I decided to do something different. Most year's I post an hour plus of music appropriate for the holiday, allowing you to download and enjoy the uninterrupted jazz as you celebrate with your valentine. This year I asked myself - what if instead, I asked someone else to come up with a play list? In fact,...
Laila Biali covers Joni Mitchell classic 'A Case of You' for Valentine's Day / JAZZ.FM91

Posted At: February 11, 2021 12:00 AM

JAZZ.FM91's Adam Feibel writes.....Just in time for Valentine's Day, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Laila Biali has shared a cover of Joni Mitchell's heart-stirring song A Case of You in an exclusive premiere with JAZZ.FM91. The Canadian pianist and vocalist is joined by George Koller on bass and her husband Ben Wittman on djembe for this intimate acoustic rendition of Mitchell's classic lo...
Laila Biali discusses music and performing during the pandemic, with 89.9WUCF

Posted At: January 15, 2021 12:00 AM

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 2019, Laila's eponymous release won her a JUNO (Canada's GRAMMY) for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Yea...
Laila Biali - Out Of Dust makes 'Ottawa Citizen' Best Canadian Jazz of 2020

Posted At: December 24, 2020 12:00 AM

While many jazz lovers will think poorly of 2020 because the global pandemic killed festivals, tours and gigs, the year also nonetheless saw the release of some exceptional music, and from Canada, no less.From lyrical trio gatherings to hard-swinging but thoroughly modern big band escapades, here are the best Canadian jazz albums of the year. Among our top picks is Laila Biali - Out of Dust on Chronograp...
Laila Biali - Out Of Dust makes the JAZZ.FM91: Year in review

Posted At: December 16, 2020 12:00 AM

JAZZ.FM91 writes.....The jazz clubs all closed, and so did everything else. But thankfully, the music never stopped. This was a challenging year for most people. Yet jazz artists from around the world went on to release an impressive amount of great music - for some, the best of their careers. That music brought us a sense of excitement and hope at a time when we needed it most. One day, these musici...
Laila Biali - Out Of Dust makes DownBeat's 'Best Albums of 2020'

Posted At: December 13, 2020 12:00 AM

A collection of songs about loss and empowerment, Laila Biali's Out Of Dust is melodic, catchy and personal. More pop than jazz, it seems cathartic, a way for the Vancouver-based vocalist to move beyond sorrow over the death of a good friend, fear for her own fragility and anxiety about the world. Biali would rather celebrate. The album spans the prairie folk strains of "Wendy's Song," the amus- ing ...
Laila Biali interview with Miami's 90.5WVUM

Posted At: December 7, 2020 12:00 AM

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 2019, Laila's eponymous release won her a JUNO (Canada's GRAMMY) for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Yea...
'Straight No Chaser' podcast features; Laila Biali's 'Silent Night'

Posted At: December 4, 2020 12:00 AM

Looking to pick up some new jazz music for the Christmas season. Well, be sure to check this sampler of some of the best choices for new Christmas music this season. There's so much to choose from, with new albums from Warren Wolf and Brian Bromberg on Mack Avenue Records (What? No "Christmas on Mack Avenue" this year?); a compilation of Peggy Lee's classic Christmas music; and vocal albums from ...
Laila Biali - Silent Night makes 'TINNITIST Indie Roundup | 98 Tracks To Get You Through The Weekend'

Posted At: December 4, 2020 12:00 AM

What do you get when you combine Bandcamp Friday, the first weekend in December and the dreams of every indie musician from Austria to Australia? Well, if you're me, you get more than 1,000 emails before noon. For the 'TINNITIST Indie Roundup | 98 Tracks To Get You Through The Weekend,' for the holidays check out Laila Biali's 'Silent Night.' "With the snow starting to c...
Laila Biali discusses 'Both Sides Now' with the Harmonious World podcast

Posted At: November 21, 2020 12:00 AM

Multi-award winning singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali has performed on prestigious stages from New York City's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts. Known for her signature sound that "masterfully mixes jazz and pop" (Washington Post), Biali has received top honors including a 2020 SOCAN Music Songwriting Award plus the 2019 JUNO (Canada's GRAMMY) for Voc...
97.9KBOG'S favorite songstress - Laila Biali releases; 'Both Sides Now'

Posted At: October 22, 2020 12:00 AM

JUNO and SOCAN Music Award winner Laila Biali celebrates Canadian icon Joni Mitchell's birthday with an intimate cover of Mitchell's beloved song, "Both Sides Now". Biali's stripped down approach illuminates poignant lyrics that speak to the heart. Multi-award winning singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali has performed on prestigious stages from New York City's Carnegie Hall to Beijing's National Cen...
CBC Radio 1 premiering Laila Baila's 'Anthem' in celebration of Leonard Cohen's 86th birth anniversary

Posted At: September 21, 2020 12:00 AM

Laila Biali released her cover of 'Anthem' by Leonard Cohen last Friday, Sept 18, for Leonard's birthday celebration TODAY Sept 21. The 2019 JUNO-Award winner covers her fellow Canadian and music icon with his relevant song that delivers a salient message for the times we find ourselves in: "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack ...
Laila Biali honoured with Hagood Hardy Prize at 31st annual SOCAN Awards

Posted At: September 21, 2020 12:00 AM

Canada's most successful songwriters, composers and music publishers are will be honoured in the 31st annual SOCAN Awards, held for the first time online, with Shawn Mendes solidifying his place in songwriting royalty earning two of the most prestigious prizes, becoming the most-awarded SOCAN member in a single year. Follow @socanmusic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#2020SOCANawards) to join...
Jazz Variations spotlights Laila Biali's 'Out of the Dust'

Posted At: August 24, 2020 12:00 AM

Laila Biali has been winning over fans and critics alike for years. Her first JUNO nomination came back in 2011 for the album Tracing Light. In 2019, Biali took home the JUNO award for "Best Vocal Jazz Album." Known for her engaging stage presence and popular appeal, Biali's music fills the space in between traditional jazz and contemporary pop - alongside artists like Brit sensation Jamie Cullu...
Laila Baila plays 'Satellite' from 'Out of the Dust' on 89.9WUCF - Live From Studio A

Posted At: August 4, 2020 12:00 AM

Laila Biali has been winning over fans and critics alike for years. Her first JUNO nomination came back in 2011 for the album Tracing Light. In 2019, Biali took home the JUNO award for "Best Vocal Jazz Album." Known for her engaging stage presence and popular appeal, Biali's music fills the space in between traditional jazz and contemporary pop - alongside artists like Brit sensation Jamie Cullum and...
Laila Biali & Ben Wittman join JPR for a 'Live Session'

Posted At: July 23, 2020 12:00 AM

Laila Biali has been winning over fans and critics alike for years. Case in point: her first JUNO nomination came back in 2011 for the album Tracing Light. In 2019, Laila Biali took home the JUNO award for "Best Vocal Jazz Album." Known for her engaging stage presence and popular appeal, Biali's music fills the space in between traditional jazz and contemporary pop - alongside artists like Brit sensa...
'Glass House' from Laila Biali's 'Out of Dust' featured on Punto Radio's animajazz

Posted At: July 13, 2020 12:00 AM

In episode 927 of "ANIMAJAZZ", conceived and conducted by BRUNO POLLACCI , broadcast on TUESDAY 14 July at 20.30, on PUNTORADIO, also streaming on www.puntoradio.fm and in an immediate podcast on http: // animajazz. eu will be protagonists of the evening includes; LAILA BIALI - CD "Out of Dust" - "Glass House". We remind you that "ANIMAJAZZ" can be heard on TUESDAY at 20.30 in immediate podcast ...
97.9KBOG 'Deep Dives' with Laila Biali

Posted At: July 9, 2020 12:00 AM

Bandon Community Radio Producer Chip Cassin explores some of KBOG's favorite recording artists with in-depth interviews on a personal level and airs them, along with their new music, on his show Deep Dive, Sundays at 1pm PST. Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali has toured with Chris Botti, Paula Cole, Suzanne Vega and Sting. She has headlined festivals and...
Laila Biali's got lots of ideas, and shares them well on 'Out of Dust' / Jazz Weekly

Posted At: June 4, 2020 12:00 AM

Laila Biali mixes sassy vocals and a rich vibrato to her clever lyrics as well as some well crafted covers on this recent album. She also plays piano and keyboards as she is supported by various strings, horns and a rhythm team of Rich Brown/eb, George Koller/ab, Larnel Lewis-Ben Wittman/dr, and Glen Patscha/key-org. She delivers a lovely aria of Gregory Porter's "Take Me To The Alley" and shows she can ...
Laila Biali interviews with 'Harmonious World'

Posted At: June 1, 2020 12:00 AM

JUNO Award winner Laila Biali's new album, Out of Dust features not only contributions from the singer/pianist's husband; Ben Wittman and son, but also multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners including Lisa Fisher, Alan Ferber, John Ellis, and Larnell Lewis. "There's a line from a song by the indie gospel group, Gungor, that has become like an anthem to me," Biali says. "‘He makes bea...
Laila Biali discusses 'Out of Dust' with 88.9WUCF

Posted At: May 28, 2020 12:00 AM

JUNO Award winner Laila Biali's new album, Out of Dust features not only contributions from the singer/pianist's husband; Ben Wittman and son, but also multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners including Lisa Fisher, Alan Ferber, John Ellis, and Larnell Lewis. "There's a line from a song by the indie gospel group, Gungor, that has become like an anthem to me," Biali says. "‘He makes beautifu...
Laila Biali discusses deeply personal new album; 'Out of Dust' with 90.7WGXC

Posted At: May 11, 2020 12:00 AM

JUNO Award winner Laila Biali's new album, Out of Dust features not only contributions from the singer/pianist's husband; Ben Wittman and son, but also multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners including Lisa Fisher, Alan Ferber, John Ellis, and Larnell Lewis. "There's a line from a song by the indie gospel group, Gungor, that has become like an anthem to me," Biali says. "‘He makes beautifu...
'Out of Dust' is of the very highest quality and a 'must have' for Laila Biali admirers / JAZZ VIEWS

Posted At: April 30, 2020 12:00 AM

All but one of the songs are written or co-written by Laila and are mostly a response to her life experiences. It is a somewhat more subdued recording for the most part than her fans are used to, reflective but at the same time with an optimistic outlook towards the future. She has surrounded herself with a fine group of supporting musicians, with the soprano saxophone solos from Godwin Louis outstanding...
Laila Biali tours from home / MACLEAN'S

Posted At: April 28, 2020 12:00 AM

It was a pretty good plan, back when people were still making make plans. In March of 2019 Toronto singer-pianist Laila Biali won a Juno award for jazz vocals. A year later she was all ready to follow up with a new album, Out of Dust, and three months of touring in Canada, the United States and Europe. Then the world went into pandemic lockdown. Out of Dust hit the market on schedule on March 27, but...
89.7WUSF Listen - Music and conversation with Laila Biali

Posted At: April 24, 2020 12:00 AM

On Monday April 27, 89.7WUSF: Tampa FL - All Night Jazz, the "Other Nine to Five, Mike Cornette shared music and conversation with Juno Award winning pianist and vocalist Laila Biali in advance of her upcoming performance on Wednesday, February 26 at Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center in Sarasota. In just a few short years, Laila Biali lost a close friend to cancer, mourned a family member&...
Laila Biali often expresses more in a single breath than others do in an entire album / All About Jazz

Posted At: April 23, 2020 12:00 AM

There's no boxing Laila Biali in. A sharp-minded songwriter, respected pianist and celebrated vocalist who straddles jazz and pop with unusual ease and strength of vision, Biali is truly beyond category. Possessing clear eyes, a perceptive mien and a sharpshooters's gifts in regard to emotional aim, she often expresses more in a single breath than others do in an entire album. Capable of making y...
Laila Biali - Take Me to the Alley' makes KCRW: Rhythm Planet - Spring Mix

Posted At: April 7, 2020 12:00 AM

JUNO Award winner Laila Biali's deeply personal new album, Out of Dust features not only contributions from the singer/pianist's husband; Ben Wittman and son, but also multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners including Lisa Fisher, Alan Ferber, John Ellis, and Larnell Lewis. "There's a line from a song by the indie gospel group, Gungor, that has become like an anthem to me," Biali says. "‘H...
Laila Biali's 'Take Me To The Ally' is the Jazz FM 'Breakfast Track of the Week'

Posted At: April 3, 2020 12:00 AM

JUNO Award winner Laila Biali's deeply personal new album, Out of Dust features not only contributions from the singer/pianist's husband; Ben Wittman and son, but also multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners including Lisa Fisher, Alan Ferber, John Ellis, and Larnell Lewis. "There's a line from a song by the indie gospel group, Gungor, that has become like an anthem to me," Biali says. "‘H...
Vocal jazz never got 'Slow Culture's' full attention until Laila Biali

Posted At: April 3, 2020 12:00 AM

Jazz has always been Slow Culture's forte. That being said, vocal jazz never really got our full attention. But that was before Laila Biali's single Sugar hit our inbox on a rainy morning. At that time, we din't believe that the whole album would stay in our playlist for long. Little did we know! We will review ‘Out of Dust' – Laila Biali's eighth album – next week. To cure our wait (an...
Everyone delivers on Laila Biali's big-sounding 'Out of Dust' / London JazzNews

Posted At: April 2, 2020 12:00 AM

I first became aware of the Canadian singer/pianist Laila Biali over a decade ago thanks to her version of Joni Mitchell's ‘Woodstock'. It was a terrific performance that swept majestically along with a soaring vocal that completely floored me (it sounds just as good today). If you're not familiar with the artist, she's a classically trained pianist, touring musician with Paula Cole, Sting and Chri...
On release day, Laila Biali's 'Out of Dust' gets play>mpe top 10 stream

Posted At: March 27, 2020 12:00 AM

JUNO Award Winning singer-songwriter Laila Biali deeply personal new album, 'Out of Dust' releases today, March 27. Co-produced by Biali and her husband, Ben Wittman, the album is a celebration of life; warm and uplifting even as it confronts her recent challenges (and the current political climate!) head-on. "These new songs took shape as I processed my own feelings of doubt and loss," Bial...
Laila Biali gets funky on 'Out of Dust' / Vancouver Sun

Posted At: March 25, 2020 12:00 AM

Laila Biali planned to introduce fans to her new album, Out of Dust, in a live setting. Coronavirus might have put the kibosh on her May 2 concert at Pyatt Hall and a planned cross-country tour, but that isn't halting the March 27 record release date. As the Juno award winning jazz artist says, nobody knows what the future holds. "Some people advised putting the release on hold, but at this stage everyth...
Laila Biali, equally at home in both the pop and jazz worlds - WVIA Public Media - Graham Album Review

Posted At: March 23, 2020 12:00 AM

Singer-songwriters come in all kinds of musical flavors, from old-fashioned folkies to punk rockers. The most familiar musical format is of the acoustic-guitar wielding artist who strums and sings, and sometimes brings in a band for their recording. But there are a lot of piano-based artists, from Billy Joel to Elton John to Randy Newman to Bruce Hornsby. And some of those piano-types show some jazz infl...
In these difficult times, Laila Biali releases an album that has a lesson for all of us / Kind Of Jazz

Posted At: March 23, 2020 12:00 AM

In these difficult times, singer-songwriter Laila Biali releases an album that has a lesson for all of us. She's had a roller-coaster few years with success and adversity mixed together and the result is her latest album: Out of Dust. Biali is clear about her inspiration. She says: "These new songs took shape as I processed my own feelings of doubt and loss. I believe that nothing is wasted, that...
Laila Biali revives the urge to fight for a better world / kulturnews

Posted At: March 23, 2020 12:00 AM

On her new studio album, Laila Biali revives the urge to fight for a better world. This is achieved primarily through a good arrangement. The title of the opener is doubly coherent: Laila Biali starts with "Revival". The one awakening that the Canadian is singing about is the worldwide pioneering urge to take to the streets again for a better world - a deep curtsey in front of the Greta Thunbergs of ...