Liela Avila Brings Vocal Jazz To Southern California
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California on December 29, 1987, Liela attended the prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) as a vocal student and majored in music/vocal jazz.
Her talents and experience singing in vocal jazz ensembles have led her to place 2nd at the Monterey Vocal Jazz Competition and 1st at the Reno Jazz Competition.
Beginning her studies at Citrus College, which is known to have one of the top recording programs in the country, she was able to take advantage of their great facilities creating her album, The Oneness of You which included an 18 piece big band, string section, French horns and harp. She also won the sought after spot of lead vocal in the Citrus College big band (also know as the Blue Note Orchestra).
Highlights of her singing career include sessions with Neville Staple and The Specials, Jane Wiedlin from the Go Go’s, Grammy nominated group Quetzal, and international star Josh Groban, among many others. Liela also appeared in the music video for Josh Groban’s hit single “You Raise Me Up” and appeared as a back-up vocalist for Josh Groban on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Ellen Degeneres Show in winter of 2003.
Liela’s ability to adapt to a variety of genres is also evident in her work with local blues group “Southern Lights”. At 16 years of age, Liela and “Southern Lights” won 1st place at the ‘Fender Battle of the Bands 2004’. Currently, Liela is working on her 3rd album which is highly anticipated. Liela is still a young artist and musician, and we look forward to hearing more about her as her career in jazz blossoms.
For more information about her music and upcoming performances, please visit her site:
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Josh Groban is one of my favorite classical-pop singer after Hayley Westenra`”;