Leyla McCalla

Haitian-American artist Leyla McCalla draws upon her experience as a bilingual multi-instrumentalist and New Orleans resident to create distinctive music that reflects both her past and present. An alumna of Grammy award-winning African-American string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, McCalla has also received praise as a solo artist. McCalla sings in French, Haitian Creole and English, and plays cello, tenor banjo and guitar. Her music is influenced by traditional Creole, Cajun and Haitian music, as well as by American jazz and folk. Layla’s remarkable new album, Breaking The Thermometer, is captivating. Fueled by rich, sophisticated melodic work and intoxicating Afro-Caribbean rhythms. She writes with great insight and introspection, examining her own personal journey of growth and self-discovery.