Bio
In December 2005, Larra released her debut album The World Disappears at the Montreal Bistro in Toronto to a sold-out crowd. Since then, her original compositions have been receiving airplay from jazz & campus stations worldwide, and the CBC (including Jurgen Gothe’s DiscDrive program). In February 2006, The World Disappears debuted at the top spot on Toronto’s CIUT 89.5 FM chart. In June 2006, HMV took The World Disappears nationwide, and Larra became the #1 bestselling independent jazz artist for the music retailer. She has performed on both coasts of Canada twice since the release of the album.
In-store appearance at HMV in St. John's, NF in July 2006
Larra at the Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver, March 2007
Larra has performed with some of the best in Toronto’s music scene – including Dave Restivo, Robi Botos, Rich Brown, Perry White, Rich Underhill, William Sperandei.
Larra Skye and band at the 2008 Green Toronto Festival at Yonge-Dundas Square
Growing up in Newmarket, Ontario, Larra learned to play guitar from the books at her parents’ bookstore. Music was in the family; sister Rosanne Baker Thornley’s 1993 album, Courage, was distributed by Sony Music. By 13, Larra was singing in a professional children’s choir and performing her original material regularly at a local coffeehouse.
In high school, Larra played trombone in a variety of jazz ensembles and concert bands, and fronted the six-piece folk-rock outfit Mars Violet that played the 2002 Women’s Voices Festival in Ottawa. In addition to providing experience as a band leader, Mars Violet was also Larra’s showcase for her own original songs in French and English.
In 2002-03, Larra studied at Ryerson University’s journalism school. A Canada Day backyard jam that summer led to a collaboration with songwriter Gerard P. Finn (Damhnait Doyle, EMI). Several months later, their songwriting and recording partnership flourishing, Larra decided to take a one-year leave from her studies, move to Hamilton and work with Gerard.
They returned to Toronto in 2005 to complete the The World Disappears, whose other co-writers include Eric Boucher, Adrean Farrugia, and Mladen Solaja. Recorded at Reaction Studios in 2005, it features some of the most respected and sought-after jazz musicians in Canada, including: pianists Farrugia and Boucher, drummer Kevin Brow, bassist Jim Vivian, trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, saxophonist Bob Brough, and guitarists Geoff Young and Matt Stevens.
The album is currently available through Larra’s independent label, AudioMaiden Music.
Larra is presently writing songs for her upcoming sophomore release.
