Laila Biali: Wintersongs

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, renowned flutist and soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett, accomplished trumpeter Kevin Turcotte and organ wizard Sam Yahel along with Detroit-born singer 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, Genevieve Marentette and Jackson Welchner, supported by the propulsive rhythmic duo of bassist 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 Brébeuf, 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. 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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