Layla Zoe has been called the "reincarnate of Janis Joplin" and was titled "Canada's Darling of the blues." She was only 4 years old when she began singing and loving it! Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Layla was raised around “good†music for the first part of her life.
"I taught myself to sing by listening to old records."-Layla Zoe.
In 2001 Layla attended the Hornby Island Blues Workshop where she met David Gogo and later performed to a sold-out audience at the Port theatre in Nanaimo, B.C. for Gogo’s “The Evolution of the Blues†concert.The concert aired in 2003 on CBC radio’s "Saturday Night Blues Show" hosted by Holger Peterson.
"Layla, a young blues siren! She reached deep into her guts to hit some of the notes. She had the audience in the palm of her hands."
-by Walter Cordery - Daily News –(Review from the "The Evolution of the Blues")
Layla also appeared on a pilot episode of the tv series "Canadian Idol"; Layla was deemed “too bluesy†for the pop idol tv competition. After a trip to Nashville Layla worked to release her first EP (short format) album with producer Alec Watson. (Production and Engineering credits include Great Big Sea, Spirit of the West, Michelle Wright). The EP "You Will" was successfully received and contained 5 songs, some co-written by Layla and Nashville songwriters.
While planning to make her full-length album, Layla began sharing the stage with artists such as Juno nominated Amos Garrett, Juno Winner Ken Hamm, critically acclaimed guitarist Bill Johnson and world renowned dobro master Doug Cox.
In 2006 Layla ended up producing a new full length album with eight out of ten songs written or co-written by Layla. Produced at a home studio with guitar player Chris Raines who also co-wrote with Layla. With a percentage of profits going to charity, Layla released “Shades of Blue,†a decidedly bluesier and rootsier album than her EP “You Will.â€
Layla has recently hit the Toronto music scene sharing the stage with well-known artists such as Danny Marks, Jeff Healey, the Downchild Blues Band and many more. Layla has received kudos from Jeff Healey, Danny Marks, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor (the Rolling Stones), the Downchild Blues Band, Bill Bottrell, Rita Chiarelli, Dawn Tyler Watson and Little Feat, just to name a few.
Layla was named the Female Vocalist of the Year by the Vancouver Island Music Awards in 2007, as well as winning the Compo10 international blues songwriting competition in Jarvenpaa, Finland! She was the only woman and the only Canadian who made it into the finals of the Compo 10 competition in Finland and because of winning she will be returning to Finland in 2008 to perform at the Lakeside Blues festival which has featured BB King, Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor over the years. Layla Zoe has been featured in magazines all over the world, and has received glowing reviews from the Toronto Blues Society, the Globe and Mail, Now Magazine and Canadian Musician Magazine.
She recently released (2007) another self-penned and produced album titled "Hoochie Coochie Woman" featuring her own take on Muddy Water's well-known "Hoochie Coochie Man." Layla has produced 3 music videos (one for each album released) with the help of friend and director Richard Olak.
Layla recently performed at Massey Hall in Toronto for the Toronto Blues Society's "Women's Blues Review" which has featured such artists as Ellen McIlwaine, Dawn Tyler Watson and Serena Ryder. The Women's Blues Review celebrated it's 21st anniversary, and airs on CBC radio. Layla was praised in reviews in the Globe and Mail and NOW magazine for her performance at the WBR in Toronto. Layla will be releasing her fourth album "Layla Zoe Live at Errington hall" in 2008 as well as a DVD of live footage, interviews and her most recent music videos, available for purchase in 2008. Layla's music has been played on international radio by DJs across the world(CBC radio, Jazz.fm and all over Europe and the US), featured in countless magazines (Canadian Musician Magazine, Down Beat, Blues Matters, NOW magazine) and newspapers (Globe and Mail, Nanaimo Daily, Finland Times), aired on local and international television (Shaw, Speakers Corner, Canadian Idol, Breakfast TV, Check 6), received accolades and kudos from her fans and fellow artists and can be found on myspace, facebook and youtube as well as her website at WWW.LAYLA.CA
Layla is an independent artist and has financed all of her albums, music videos and tours using her own funds.
She is a true Canadian talent and a force to be reckoned with in the blues/roots community and music scene. Keep your eyes and ears open for this rising star.
