Lynne Milgram is a long-time jazz music fan, a JAZZ.FM91 volunteer, and Professor Emerit at OCAD University.
Fresh off her 2026 GRAMMY nomination for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album,” JUNO-winning
Canadian vocalist, pianist, and arranger Laila Biali will release her new single, “Free Man in
Paris,” on Friday November 6, 2026. Biali’s new arrangement of Joni Mitchell’s 1974 hit song arrives
just in time to celebrate Joni’s 83rd birthday on November 7, 2026.
As the lead single from Biali’s forthcoming 2027 album release, Dreamland: The Canadian Songbook Reimagined, “Free Man in Paris” decisively establishes the pioneering tone of the album while securing Baili’s position as one of Canada’s foremost singers and arrangers.
Biali’s innovative interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s cover features a stellar horn section from the multi-JUNO nominated ensemble Carn Davidson 9 including Tara Davidson on alto sax, William Carn on trombone, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet, Kelly Jefferson on tenor sax, Shirantha Beddage on baritone sax, plus French hornist David Quackenbush. The group is rounded out by Glenn Patscha on Hammond B3 and Biali’s longtime rhythm section musicians, George Koller on bass and Ben Wittman on drums.
During Laila Biali’s April 2026 performance for International Jazz Day in the Long & McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91, Laila talked about the factors that have drawn her to embrace Joni Mitchell’s music and her thoughts on Mitchell’s contribution to Canadian music. Laila explains: “While I have such an appreciation for the instrumentation, the harmony, [and] the musical approach of Joni Mitchell and the people she has surrounded herself with, especially from the jazz world, what really gets me is the narrative. It’s poetry. I could read the lyrics to one of her songs and strip them completely from the music and still be completely compelled.”
