NEW ALBUM “THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE” IS OUT NOW!
Sofia Laiti is a New York based jazz singer. She is recognized for her smoky, deep voice and soulful lyric interpretations. She has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians including John Hicks, Houston Person, James Weidman, Essiet Essiet, Leon Lee Dorsey, Ray Drummond, Craig Handy, Mark Johnson, Scott Tixier, Larry Ham, Scott Robinson, Vincent Ector and appeared at clubs including Birdland, Iridium Jazz Club, Five Spot Jazz, Sweet Rhythm, The Village Gate, Visiones, Tavern on the Green, Smalls, The Cornelia Street Cafe, Trumpets. and at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C.
She was born in the northernmost arctic area in Finland. Since early childhood, she had a strong desire to use her voice to entertain.
Sofia studied classical music in the Music Conservatory at Kuopio, in the east of Finland. Here, she developed a solid musical foundation upon which to build her career. With this solid foundation, Laiti proceeded to jazz singing, and moved to Helsinki, the sophisticated capital of Finland. Throughout the late 1980's, she made a significant impact there, winning major prizes and grants, and making triumphant appearances at top clubs and festivals, such as Pori Jazz International. She has received sponsorship from various Finnish companies such as Finnish Ford. She moved to New York in 1991, aided by a grant from the State Music Council of Finland.
Her debut album, "Manhattan Memories", was recorded in New York in 1989 for Finnish Columbia Records. Saxophonist Scott Robinson, pianist Larry Ham, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Klaus Suonsaari join her in a program divided between originals and standards on which Sofia puts her inimitable stamp.
In 1994 she released her U.S. debut recording "Inspira", on the Midnight Sun Music label. Backed by John Hicks on piano, Craig Handy on tenor sax, Essiet Essiet on bass and Cecil Brooks III on drums, her vocalism was praised as "powerful" by Cadence and "charismatic" by Jazziz.
Sofia's 1996 album "The Midnight Sun Will Never Set" produced by Houston Person, featured Person on sax, James Weidman on piano, Essiet Essiet on bass and Mark Johnson on drums.
In 2004 she released "You Don't Know Me". Backed by Houston Person on saxophone, Larry Ham on piano, Leon Lee Dorsy on bass and Vince Ector on drums.
Praising the "deep lilt of her voice" and her "dark, exotic sound" Cadence declared: "Sofia Laiti is maturing into a classic Jazzpop chanteuse." While critics cite the "smokiness", "lushness," and "sultry glow" of her voice and the "smoothness" and "elasticity" of her phrasing.
In 2011 she released "Like A Road Leading Home". Backed by James Weidman on piano, Marcus McLaureen on bass, Adam Lomeo on guitars, Vincent Ector on drums, Mariel Berger on accordion and Scott Tixier on violin. In this album she is turning to particular the music of Bob Dylan.
in 2026 she recorded her recent album “The Shadow of You Smile. This new record is a masterclass in intimate, late-night vocal jazz. Backed by a lean and telepathic trio consisting of pianist Patrick Stokes, bassist John Koozin, and drummer Aleksi Heinola, the Finnish-born singer leverages her trademark smoky timbre, distinctive Scandinavian lilt, and elastic phrasing to breathe fresh life into American jazz standards. Clocking in at just under 31 minutes, the album is a punchy yet deeply emotional collection of concise interpretations.