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Laila Salins
Vagabond for Beauty - vocalist and composer
About Me
Laila Salins was raised just beyond the skyline of New York, immersed in the cultural heritage
of the Latvian émigré community. She has enjoyed a richly diverse performing career,
performing jazz, chamber music, world music, music/theater, and cabaret, starring in the
premieres of a multitude of contemporary music pieces. She has performed in Switzerland,
Germany, England, Sweden, Australia, Canada and the US, as well as performing extensively
in Latvia. She is co-founder of the music ensembles Kolibri, Ecliptica, Cat’s Eye, Ballistic
Cabaret and TālaMana.
In recent years Laila has focused on her original compositions and arrangements in the
realms of chamber jazz ensemble, tango and world music fusion.
She received her B.A. in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory, and her M.A.
from the State University at Stonybrook.
My Jazz Story
Is it jazz?.... I just completed a dream project - recording my original compositions for a terrific jazz ensemble, based on 12 poems by Anne Sexton, entitled "Elevator Into the Sky." The poetry leads - the music follows. And those words led me - and my fellow musicians - along some unusual musical paths. Is it jazz? You tell me.