Layla Zoe - Shades of Blue (2006)

Layla Zoe is an internationally recognized blues singer/songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia. Zoe's talent as a singer was apparent from a young age when, after discovering her father's blues record collection, she took a turn fronting his band. After singing for another local blues band in her late teens, Zoe struck out on her own, relocating to Toronto and releasing her solo debut, Shades of Blue, in 2006. When she won top prize at a Finnish songwriter competition that same year, it opened up the door to touring and recording opportunities throughout Europe. Over the next five years, Zoe would release four more albums, eventually signing with Cable Car Records, a label owned by German blues guitarist Henrik Freischlader, with whom she also collaborated. Back in Canada, she collaborated with heavy-hitters like Sonny Landreth and Jeff Healey. Her powerhouse voice has often been compared to that of Janis Joplin. Zoe's 2013 LP, The Lily, proved to be somewhat of a breakout and was considered one of Down Beat magazine's best blues albums of the year. Following 2015's Live at Spirit of 66 concert album, Zoe signed with another German blues label, Ruf Records, and released her sixth studio effort, Breaking Free.