BIO(short)
Maggie Laird is an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. Her varied professional life began as an actress with companies in Chicago and in Seattle. She lives and performs in the Pacific Northwest as a soloist and with numerous notable combos and Big Bands. Recent highlights include a publishing deal with Fervor Records and winning “Best Jazz Song” at the West Coast Songwriters' competition. She recently released three new singles, High Tide and High Time, Nothing But Magic, and Peut-être. “The release of these colorful numbers makes one look forward to Maggie Laird’s future projects.” -Scott Yanow
BIO(long)
Maggie Laird
Vocalist, Pianist, and Award-Winning Songwriter
Maggie Laird is a dynamic vocalist, pianist, and award-winning songwriter based on Vashon Island, Washington. Known for her captivating performances and genre-blending sound, Maggie has made her mark across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Her music is a rich fusion of jazz, pop, rock, and cabaret, rooted in both the tradition of jazz and the accessibility of pop. As Scott Yanow, author of The Jazz Singers, notes, "Her music can be thought of as jazz with a pop sensibility, displaying her roots in rock, pop, cabaret, and the theatre while always having the spirit of jazz." Maggie’s performances bring to life this unique blend of influences, making her a sought-after artist for diverse audiences.
Maggie’s latest singles, Nothing But Magic and Peut-être, both released in 2025, showcase her continued growth as a songwriter and performer. Her first solo EP, One More Manhattan (released to a standing-room-only crowd at Seattle’s Skylark), is a five-song collection that has earned widespread acclaim. The title track won "Best Jazz Song" at the Westcoast Songwriters competition, and the EP was praised for its versatility and emotional depth. All About Jazz lauded Maggie’s “soulful, sexy vocal style” and the EP's stellar instrumentation, while No Depression highlighted its ability to captivate listeners with its "knife-sharp musical and artistic skills."
Maggie's musical journey has spanned the decades. In the 1980s, Maggie was a member of Blackwood/Laird band, whose songs topped the charts and earned widespread recognition. Recently, Fervor Records signed a dozen Blackwood/Laird songs in a publishing deal, breathing new life into this beloved catalog. Since 1999, she has been the vocalist for the acclaimed Island Jazz Quintet, whose recordings have earned national and international airplay. As a solo artist, Maggie has built a reputation for her compelling interpretations of jazz standards, her original compositions, and her touring revues of Kurt Weill, Peggy Lee, and the Gershwins.
Critics have taken note of Maggie’s rare ability to blend technical prowess with emotional depth. Rich Rubin of Full House Cabaret wrote, "Maggie Laird is one of the most talented cabaret performers Philadelphia has been lucky enough to see in recent years. With her impeccable musical abilities and uniquely quirky presence, she fills the stage with humor, drama, and magic."
Whether performing with her band or as a solo artist, Maggie Laird’s music invites listeners into a world where jazz, pop, and storytelling seamlessly intertwine.