Jazz Beat: Laila Biali Trio, with Greg Carroll, at the Blue Room

Sting has described Laila Biali as “an exciting and unique talent,” and that’s good enough for us. This Canadian-born pianist and singer weaves pop and soul with her own sense of swing, delivering contemporary songs with a jazz touch. Biali covers music ranging from Frank Sinatra standards to Joni Mitchell and David Bowie but with her own arrangements, bringing a fresh voice that intrigues — you know the song, but not quite like this. She begins a U.S. tour Saturday night at the Blue Room. The trio — Biali on piano and vocals, Adam Thomas on bass and Fred Kennedy on drums — is joined by vibraphonist and American Jazz Museum CEO Greg Carroll.