Canadian jazz vocalist and pianist Laila Biali opened her Canadian Songbook wide at London’s Aeolian Hall on Thursday night, much to the delight of an appreciative audience of jazz enthusiasts.
Biali was headlining the first night of Aeolian’s four-day Jazz & Musical Arts Festival, August 14 to 17.
With a special nod to the music of Joni Mitchell, the 2018 Juno Award winner entertained the audience with selections ranging from Leonard Cohen, Sarah McLachlan, Ron Sexsmith, K.D. Lang and Neil Young. But these were not mere covers. They were unique arrangements that permitted Biali and her bandmates to show their musical chops. The four musicians worked together like a well-oiled machine, bringing the evening’s performance to soaring heights.
Dressed exquisitely in a black, white, and grey outfit, Biali charmed the crowd with her infectious smile and engaging in-between songs banter, sharing stories about the various artists she has played with and in front of. Such as the time she was performing a Ron Sexsmith song in Stratford with the composer sitting in the audience.
The band ended its seventy-five-minute set with Neil Young’s Heart of Gold, followed by a well-deserved standing ovation and encore.
The festival continues on Friday night with Sammy Jackson with special guest Nicole Tan, and Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats on Saturday, August 16. A series of free concerts featuring Gina Farrugia & Peter Karle, Brian Gloyd & Friends, DNS Trio, and the Laurraine Sigouin Trio takes place on Saturday in the hall’s Southen Lounge.
For more information about Laila Biali and her music, visit https://lailabiali.com/
For more information and tickets for the Aeolian Jazz & Music Arts Festival, visit https://aeolianhall.ca/
The Beat Magazine 2025 