Getting to Know Our Stars
10 Questions for Laila Biali
Laila Biali brings her Wintersongs and Holiday classics concert to Port Moody’s Inlet Theatre this Saturday December 16th.

Get to Know Our Stars - Darren Rahn

1. How old were you when you first started playing music?

Piano at 5

Clarinet at 8

Sax at 10

2. Who was/is your biggest musical inspiration?

Stanley Turrentine / Michael Brecker / Kirk Whalum / David Sanborn

3. Where do you make your home?

Denver, Colorado

4. Do you have any pets?

Zoe (mini mutt, Chihuahua/Jack Russell/Dachshund). Some would say a Chiweenie; others would call her a Jack-Chi

5. What is the best concert/gig you have ever done?

Every concert!! But Uganda, Africa was a stand out. The people were amazing and the musical culture was incredible

6. What is the best concert you have ever attended?

Al Jarreau w David Sanborn in the early 90’s at the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival in Oregon

7. Do you have an all-time favourite song or album?

So many!! David Sanborn’s “The Dream” is one of my all time favs

8. What musician would you still most like to work with?

In Smooth Jazz/Funk genres, Tower of Power & Candy Dulfer

Outside of Smooth Jazz, I would have loved to have worked with Whitney Houston

9. If you weren't a musician what would you be?

Photographer / Graphic Designer / Woodworker

10. What is your favourite thing about Vancouver?

The city lights over the water at night!!! Amazing!!!!

10 Question for Kristian Alexandrov (producer and keys)

Kristian and Shannon Gaye perform at The Blue Frog Studios December 2 - an intimate, timeless holiday concert filled with soulful, bluesy, R&B vibes. Join them and their exceptional band for an unforgettable festive musical experience.

Tickets here: https://www.bluefrogstudios.ca/store/p127/ShannonGaye.html?fbclid=IwAR0Pgk8jQXQN55OxKCwneXKPZfofuCmA9TE_ZeVV8c7xd5sc7cF5yL19OKw

1.How old were you when you first started playing piano?
I grew up in a family of musicians. I started taking piano lessons when I was 4, drum lessons when I was 9. I was fortunate to attend the Bulgarian National School of Music “Lubomir Pipkov”. It was an amazing experience!

2. Who was/is your biggest musical inspiration?
Probably too many :-) The most important ones are: Miles Davis, Chick Corea (especially the Electric Band), David Sanborn, Steps Ahead and Marcus Miller.

3. Where do you make your home?
I live in beautiful Vancouver!

4. Do you have any pets?
We have a cat named Tessa. She’s an adorable tabby who loves to chat :-)

5. What is the best concert/gig you have ever done?
I feel like that’s impossible to answer. I love performing live whether it’s in a concert hall or an intimate club setting.

6. What is the best concert you have ever attended?
We had great jazz festivals in Sofia (Bulgaria) when I was growing up. I remember seeing The Brecker Brothers, Freddie Hubbard Quartet & John Scofield band in the same night - that was insane!!!

7. Do you have an all-time favourite song or album?
“Tutu” - Miles Davis, “Peace Beyond Passion” - Meshell Ndegeocello, “Chick Corea Elektric Band” - Chick Corea, “The Sun Don’t Lie” - Marcus Miller

8. What musician would you still most like to work with?
There are so many! I think top of the list would be Quincy Jones or Marcus Miller

9. If you weren't a musician what would you be?
I love animals & nature so I imagine working in something along those lines wouldn’t be a stretch :-)

10. What is your favourite thing about Vancouver?
I love that you have this cosmopolitan city with amazing culture, vibrant arts scene and great food surrounded by mountains and ocean!

Vickie van Dyke ~ middays

10 Questions for Terrell Edwards

1. How old were you when you first started singing?
I grew up in a musical, singing family! Everybody sang. I was the youngest and least advanced, but I would say it was around 7 or 8 when I took an interest and family would do the old "Terrell come over here and sing a song!!" haha