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Laila Biali: Wintersongs

By Pierre Giroux
November 10, 2024
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Laila Biali

piano and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Laila Biali is an award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist whose recording Wintersongs offers an immersive journey into the delicate beauty and serene power of winter all through the lens of her jazz and classical roots. With two exceptions, all tracks were composed by Biali in a cabin surrounded by snow-capped mountains in the heart of Canada's Rocky Mountains. Many of Biali's usual collaborators participated in this production, including drummer

Ben Wittman

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Wittman, renowned flutist and soprano saxophonist

Jane Bunnett

saxophone, soprano
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Jane Bunnett, accomplished trumpeter

Kevin Turcotte

trumpet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Turcotte and organ wizard

Sam Yahel

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Yahel along with Detroit-born singer

Wade O. Brown

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Wade O. Brown }}, among others.

The winter theme is not just a seasonal nod but a broader metaphor for stillness, reflection, and the beauty of quiet moments, which begins with the opening track "Drifting Down Ice." Through the warmth of her vocalese and the lush background arrangement interlaced with her piano's intricate phrasing, Biali's musical language evokes a world of winter wonders. "Rocky Mountain Lullaby," which is Biali's elegy to the imposing peaks of Banff National Park, adds Bunnett's flute, which provides a softer and meditative tone to her improvisational phrases. This blends effortlessly with Biali's approach to the inherent tranquility of the number.

Turcotte, Yahel and Brown join Biali on "Outside," delivering a degree of musical muscularity to Rob Mathes' luxuriant orchestration, all of which support her vocal on this festive number. In each of the pieces, it is clear that there is a thematic cohesion that permeates the set as a soundtrack to a meditative season. "Keep on Moving," although brief, picks up the tempo with spiraling vocals from

Joanna Majoko

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Joanna Majoko,

Genevieve Marentette

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Genevieve Marentette and

Jackson Welchner

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackson Welchner, supported by the propulsive rhythmic duo of bassist

George Koller

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">George Koller and drummer Wittman along with Biali's fleet-fingered piano. Jane Bunnett has a reprise performance on "Dance of the Pines," but this time on soprano sax. In this sonic journey, Biali's expressive voice and sophisticated piano provide the emotional arc of the number. Bunnett's saxophone soars over the arrangement with lyrical phrasing, adding depth to the interpretation.

The closing track is "Jesus, He Is Born," originally attributed to Jean de Br��beuf, a Jesuit missionary who came to New France (Canada) in 1625 to work among the Huron tribe. The piece is more commonly known as "The Huron Carol." This instrumental version brought Biali, Koller and Wittman together with Turcotte and harpist

Lori Gemmell

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Lori Gemmell. In this bare-bones arrangement, the group did not stray from the spiritual core of the number, which aligned with winter's starkness, yet acknowledged the warmth of human emotion that Biali seems to tease out musically.

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Track Listing

Drifting Down Ice; Rocky Mountain Lullaby; Prelude to Outside; Outside; Keep on Moving; Snow Dance of the Pines; Winter Waltz (Belle nuit de No?l, instrumental); Jesus, He is Born (Iesous ahatonnia', instrumental).

Personnel

Laila Biali

piano and vocals

George Koller

bass, acoustic

Ben Wittman

drums

Jane Bunnett

saxophone, soprano

Kevin Turcotte

trumpet

Lori Gemmell

harp

Sam Yahel

organ, Hammond B3

Wade O.Brown

vocals

Joanna Majoko

vocals

Genevieve Marentette

vocals

Jackson Welchner

vocals

Additional Instrumentation

Venuti String Quartet; Chamber Orchestra.

Album information

Title: Wintersongs | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced

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