(you can find the full interview here: http://www.earshot-online.com/features/2005/September/laila_1.cfm)
JD: What was it like coming back home to Vancouver for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and opening for Diana Krall in the wonderful Orpheum Theatre?
Laila Biali: It was extraordinary. She was amazing. We played a great set. I thought-considering the circumstances. We were quite nervous, of course and it was a huge opportunity. I was overwhelmed with the idea of opening for Diana Krall and potentially meeting her. I didn't think I'd actually get to meet her. She was amazing! She came up on the set break before she started her set. She came up to our "green room", which was separate from hers. She brought along her Dad and introduced us to him. She congratulated me. She was kind and generous. Then when she played her set, she acknowledged us twice while on stage, to the audience. She was incredible! She put on the show of her lifetime. I've seen her live, one other time in Toronto and she was fantastic; but this particular show in Vancouver was one of the best I've ever seen. It was so amazing and the crowd was right there with her! She got a standing ovation. We just felt honoured to be a part of that. She really was so generous with us. There was no attitude... nothing Diva-like about her.
