Born in Louisiana to parents of Greek and Irish descent, raised between Boston, Los Angeles, Hawaii and Seattle, Layla Angulo began playing the piano at age five, the saxophone at age ten, and was performing in jazz clubs by the time she was fourteen.
In 2006, Layla toured Sicily where she performed sold-out concerts with some of Italy’s finest jazz musicians. The song La Rumbera, written by Layla Angulo and Walter Torres, was Semi-Finalist in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition (ICS) and in 2006 it received an Honorable Mention. Layla not only composes for herself and her group, but has also written numerous songs and albums for other artists and for short films including Cinder starring Julia Ling (Jackie Chan Disciples), which will be playing at film festivals later in the year.
With the release of two Latin Jazz CDs, and an intensely loyal and growing fan base, Layla and her band create a thrilling musical experience wherever they perform - either with her Quintet or her 13-piece orchestra, (as can be heard on her CD, Live at the Triple Door). Live at the Triple Door has received high praise from Latin Beat Magazine, The Seattle Times, The Stranger, as well as press from around the world.
The fierce enthusiasm and encouragement of her fans keep pushing Layla to reach for even higher musical planes. She recently recleased her third CD, MIENTRAS..., with some of the most well-known and highly respected musicians in the business, including Oscar Stagnaro on Bass, Roberto Quintero, Dario Eskanazi, (who all tour with Paquito D’Rivera and Diane Schuur) Orlando 'Maraca' Valle (Irakere), and Tony Escapa (Ricky Martin). On the new CD, MIENTRAS, not only does she sing, compose, arrange and play alto and soprano saxophones, but she also wears the hat of producer.
Most Recently, Layla's song 'Que Te Valla Bien (sin mi)' was Semi-Finalist in 2008 International Songwriting Competition.
Keilwerth saxophones and Sonare Wind flutes have endorsed Layla. She plays Keilwerth saxophones on MIENTRAS... recorded with her “Shadow†saxophone.