Laith Al-Saadi

Born in 1977 and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Laith Al-Saadi emerged as a soulful vocalist and commanding guitarist drawn to blues, vintage R&B, jazz, and classic rock. His abilities surfaced early, as he began singing with the Boys' Choir of Ann Arbor at age four and picked up the guitar at thirteen. His father favored only Arabic classical music, yet his mother introduced wider listening habits; after his parents separated, he immersed himself in the popular sounds of the 1960s and 1970s. While attending Community High School, he played in the jazz band, and at fifteen he joined the local blues outfit Blue Vinyl. The band toured the Netherlands and opened for established blues figures including Buddy Guy, Son Seals, Luther Allison, and Taj Mahal. After high school he enrolled at Western Michigan University, where he earned a degree in Jazz Guitar and Bass. Following graduation he became one of Michigan’s most active players, appearing with the Johnny Trudell Orchestra, sitting in with Thornetta Davis and the Reefermen, headlining clubs nationwide, supporting B.B. King, Johnny Winter, the Yardbirds, and others, and leading the Detroit Lions Pep Band. His first solo album, Long Time Coming, appeared in 2005, followed by In the Round in 2008. In 2013 he issued Real, a live-in-the-studio recording featuring Jimmy Vivino on rhythm guitar, Leland Sklar on bass, Jim Keltner on drums, and Tom Scott on saxophone. Chosen in March 2016 for the competition series The Voice, he earned turns from Blake Shelton and Adam Levine with his take on the Box Tops’ “The Letter.” He selected Levine as coach, and the performance was released immediately as a digital single.