Ali Milner’s fresh-faced appearance might make her look like a newcomer, but don’t be fooled- at 21 years old, she has already been recording and performing for eleven years. In that time she’s gone from being a promising teenaged favourite to a seasoned performer who is quickly becoming a familiar face in Canada’s indie music world. Raised in Whistler, BC, but now living in Vancouver, her timeless sound blends R&B pop with old-soul jazz and even a dose of hard-hitting rock n’ roll.

The velvet-voiced songstress already has two albums under her belt: 2005’s Ali Milner (Venus/EMI) and 2009’s I Dare You. The most recent LP was recorded live of the studio floor to tape, and then fleshed out with lush strings and horns. This organic approach helps highlight the songs’ raw emotion and allows Milner to show off her jazz-trained chops.

Since the album’s release, she’s been checking off one milestone after another. In 2009, she performed at Vancouver’s JunoFest, and the following year she played several surrounding the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler and Vancouver, including singing the national anthem at the closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games.

In the summer of 2010, she graced the stage at the legendary Lilith Fair festival alongside icons like Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crowe, Erykah Badu, and Sugarland. Her music has been broadcast on CBC Radio 2 and Radio 3, and her busy performance schedule has taken her to the UK, USA, and Asia. Along the way she’s shared bills with Michael Bublé, Ron Sexsmith, Divine Brown, Barenaked Ladies, and countless others.

Recently, Ali competed on the CBC reality television show, Cover Me Canada, placing third out of thousands of applicants. During this show, Milner was joined by her high-caliber band: bassist Erik P.H. Nielsen (Rich Hope & His Evil Doers, The Poolhall Gospel), guitarist Matt Kelly (Treelines, Portage & Main) and drummer Richard Brown (Big Sugar).

Not surprisingly, critics have begun to take notice of the fast-rising Milner. The Province praised her “powerful vocals, command of the stage and fiery red locks,” while Discorder called her a soulful singer “with style and talent beyond her years”. With a busy schedule ahead and new songs coming all the time, even more listeners are bound to be won over by Milner’s golden voice and fleet-fingered keyboard playing.


What others have to say:

"Strong visuals and a confident versatility makes Milner stand out among the many women performers around here. Milner has a nice light touch that simply dances over a latin-flavoured pop song such as 'Break Away', which could have been a hit for The Drifters back in the early '60s, can be playfully coy in 'Don't Forget to Call Me', visits Motown with 'Gonna Dance' and touches on reggae with 'I Wanna Be Loved By You'. Opening song 'Crystal Clear' has maturity and rings with an authority that suggests it could be an instant classic. With discreet use of strings and brass, 'I Dare You', is full and fully-formed. Watch her."
- Vancouver Province



The Ali Milner Band is:

Ali Milner - piano/vocals
Erik P.H. Nielsen - bass
Matt Kelly - guitar
Richard Brown - drums