Biography
Leyla McCalla is a Haitian-American musician, singer, and songwriter renowned for her mastery of the cello, tenor banjo, and guitar. Born in Bayside, Queens, New York City to Haitian emigrant parents, McCalla spent her formative years in Maplewood, New Jersey, before moving to Accra, Ghana as a teenager due to her mother's work. This international upbringing, combined with her early classical training and exposure to West African music, deeply influenced her diasporic musical style. After returning to the United States, McCalla studied music at New York University, where she immersed herself in both classical and experimental music scenes, and later moved to New Orleans to further explore her creative voice and Haitian heritage.
McCalla's career took a significant turn when she was discovered busking in New Orleans and invited to join the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, a group dedicated to reviving African American string band traditions. She later became a founding member of Our Native Daughters, alongside Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, and Allison Russell, further cementing her role as a key figure in contemporary roots music. As a solo artist, McCalla has released several acclaimed albums, including 'Breaking the Thermometer' (2022), which explores the legacy of Haiti's Radio Haiti and the importance of a free press, and 'Sun Without the Heat' (2024), which draws on Afrobeat, Ethiopian, Brazilian, and American folk influences. Her work is celebrated for its blend of storytelling, social consciousness, and musical innovation, earning accolades from NPR, The Guardian, and Folk Alliance International.
McCalla continues to shape the musical landscape through her artistic leadership, educational projects, and collaborations. She serves as the artistic director of the Shockoe Institute in Richmond, Virginia, and has completed residencies at the University of Richmond and Montclair State University. Living in New Orleans with her family, McCalla remains dedicated to exploring the intersections of history, identity, and music, leaving a lasting legacy as a bridge between cultures and generations.
Fun Facts
- McCalla is multilingual, singing in English, French, and Haitian Creole.
- Her song 'Dodinin' from 'Breaking the Thermometer' was featured on Barack Obama's list of favorite songs in 2022.
- She began her New Orleans career busking in the French Quarter and teaching cello to children at a local nonprofit.
- McCalla is also a composer for multidisciplinary projects, including theater and dance works exploring Black history.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Rufus Cappadocia - Inspired McCalla's cross-cultural approach to cello and Haitian folk music after she attended his performance at age 18. (N/A (influence on style rather than direct collaboration)) [circa 2000]
- Marion Feldman - Cello professor at NYU Steinhardt who mentored McCalla during her undergraduate studies. (N/A (academic mentorship)) [2003-2007]
Key Collaborators
- Carolina Chocolate Drops - Band member; performed, recorded, and toured with the group, contributing to the revival of Black string band music. (Leaving Eden (2012), live performances) [2011-2013]
- Our Native Daughters (Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell) - Co-founder and performer in this supergroup exploring Black women's stories in American roots music. (Songs of Our Native Daughters (2019)) [2018-present]
- Taj Mahal - Collaborated on banjo-focused performances exploring African American musical heritage. (Live performances (e.g., Black Banjo show, 2024))
Artists Influenced
- Emerging Black string musicians - Inspired a new generation of artists to explore diasporic roots and string traditions through her work with Carolina Chocolate Drops and Our Native Daughters. (N/A (broad influence cited in interviews and press)) [2010s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Capitalist Blues | 2019-01-25 | Album |
| A day for the hunter, a day for the prey | 2016-05-27 | Album |
| Breaking The Thermometer | 2022-05-06 | Album |
| Vari-colored Songs | 2013-10-21 | Album |
| Sun Without the Heat | 2024-04-12 | Album |
| BABY DON'T | 2025-03-28 | Album |
| Vari-Colored Songs: a Tribute to Langston Hughes | 2014-02-04 | Album |
| HaitiaNola | 2019-10-25 | Album |
| Don't Call Me Baby | 2025-11-07 | Album |
| Live at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | 2025-07-09 | Album |
| HaitiaNola | 2019-10-25 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Quasheba, Quasheba (Songs of Our Native Daughters)
- The Capitalist Blues (The Capitalist Blues)
- Vini Wè (Breaking The Thermometer)
- I Knew I Could Fly (Songs of Our Native Daughters)
- Money Is King (The Capitalist Blues)
- Little sparrow (A day for the hunter, a day for the prey)
- Mesi Bondye (Vari-colored Songs)
- A day for the hunter, a day for the prey (A day for the hunter, a day for the prey)
- Mèsi Bondye
- Black Myself (Songs of Our Native Daughters)
External Links
Tags: #folk
References
Heard on WWOZ
Leyla Mccalla has been played 30 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.