Why CBC Music host Laila Biali is inspired by rock star Bono
'He is an instigator, a visionary, a humanitarian, a rebel with a cause.'
Laila Biali is the host of Saturday Night Jazz on CBC Music. The award-winning singer-songwriter and pianist — who has toured with the likes of Chris Botti, Paula Cole and Suzanne Vega and in January released a new self-titled album of cover and original material — incorporates elements of pop, rock, classical and soul music for a unique take on the jazz genre. Saturday Night Jazz, which shares both new discoveries and much-loved classics, airs on Saturdays from 8 p.m.to midnight.
Biali says that the 2005 book Bono on Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas was a book that influenced her own life and career.
"Though I wasn't particularly drawn to U2's music as a kid, I can recall my older sisters blasting album The Joshua Tree in their rooms for months on end — which my first exposure to them as a band. And I did ultimately get hooked on Bono later in life, when I discovered him to be much more than a rock star.
"He is an instigator, a visionary, a humanitarian, a rebel with a cause. When a friend and fellow fan turned me on to the book Bono: Conversations with Michka Assayas, I discovered even more layers, more stories to help equip and inspire me not only as a musician, but as a human being."
Laila Biali's comments have been edited and condensed.