"New Orleans always felt like home to me. The more I learned about the history of Louisiana, its ties to Haiti and French speaking culture, the more sense of belonging I felt and continue to feel. The history is very deep. I started playing more traditional jazz and old time music through the people that I met on the street, and that led me to now start learning more about Louisiana pre-zydeco, Creole, fiddle-driven music. The well is so deep, and after 3 years, I am just scratching the surface.".

Trained in classic cello, she plays multiple instruments and sings in English, French and Haitian creole to create reworkings of traditional pieces and original compositions that draw on blues and Cajun music.

Her languid and activist folk sung with her intense and natural timber of her voice have won over the entire world.

Leyla McCalla  has chosen the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac for the launch of her upcoming album in France.