The Prince of Wales auditorium was transformed into a jazz lounge for the second concert by Laila Biali in the Stars for Saskatchewan concert series on October 25 organized by the Assiniboia and District Arts Council and the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils. Round tables for eight were set up, allowing people to talk and enjoy a beverage during the show.
Jazz artist Laila Biali wowed the Assiniboia audience with her piano arrangements and vocals. Her music is very easygoing and her soft voice lulled the audience, but she still conveyed energy through an upbeat performance.
She was accompanied on tour by Cody Hutchinson on bass and John May on drums. There was an easy rapport between the three musicians and Biali set a relaxed tone with the audience while introducing songs. Biali and her band played off each other switching easily from piano solos to bass to drums.
Biali chose an interesting selection of pieces for the concert. She presented her own compositions as well as her own jazz arrangements of music from other genres and well-known artists. Biali covered musical greats like a mystical and abstract piece by Leonard Cohen with her own arrangements and added her own instrumental twist. She also showcased her own compositions such as 鈥淟ove鈥�, a more pop-sounding song that she wrote for her friend. Biali missed her friend鈥檚 wedding because of a concert tour. She regretted not attending the wedding and decided to write a song to depict the day as a tribute.
Biali demonstrated her creativity not only in the arrangements, but in her musical instruments. In one song, she used rolled plastic tubes to keep a beat and in another she featured a xylophone for the melody.
Biali draws on many of her life experiences for her musical inspiration. In another song called 鈥淵ou鈥�, Biali sings about breaking up with her boyfriend. She made the song sound like the breakdown of a car, slowly sputtering to a stop. Another song 鈥淎utumn Leaves鈥� was also onomatopoeic and resembled poetry in sound. The twinkling high notes of the piano keys were made to sound like falling leaves.
Biali gave a very polished performance which is a rare treat for Assiniboia audiences.
