by Nick Vail on February 21, 2010

On the 6th day of the Olympics Whistler Live brought to me, Ali Milner live on stage.

I’ve seen Ali play a few times live on stage and have enjoyed many of her songs while at work. The first time I saw Ali live on stage was last year at the Whistler Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival live on stage with Animal Nation while playing at the base of Whistler mountain.

Ali Milner Live on Stage

Ali is a singer songwriter who has a very contemporary rhythm blues jazzy style with her exciting on stage performances. During her shows she sings with her smooth voice while playing the piano along side her amazing drummer, guitarist and bassist. When Ali was 13 she sang for Prince Andrew of England who was hosting the North American Childrens Hospital Benefit at the BC place in Vancouver. Such an amazing feat for a singer at such a young age.

Ali Milner Live on Stage

The Vancouver Childrens Choir was a source of a lot of Ali’s musical foundation while singing the lead voice in the Elite Cantata section. According to Pique Newsmagazine, “. . . the musician’s voice has developed, both literally and figuratively. She’s moved away from that pure, unadulterated jazz feel and developed her own distinct, poppy take on the traditional . . .”

Ali Milner Live on Stage

Rocking with the band to a crowd of over a thousand!

Whistler Village is teeming with people all day and almost all night.  Lots of live music.  Six sites with big screens where you can watch the events.  And our own medals plaza.  Right in the middle of it all is Village Square with a big stage set up.  Ali and the band played to a crowd of over a thousand.  She had them dancing.  One guy wanted her phone number (which she declined to give out....very graciously of course.)

1. MATISYAHU (FEB. 14, 4:10 P.M.)

Like an extraordinary number of acts appearing under the Cultural Olympiad banner, Matisyahu erases the boundaries separating all music. The catch when he started was that Matisyahu blended his Jewish lore with reggae, which was interesting but proved limiting. He since has branched out to take in other contemporary rhythms and riffs.

2. ALI MILNER (FEB. 17, 2:45 P.M.)

MILNER SLOWLY BUT STEADILY HAS been making an impression. She veers from Motown exuberance to more reflective pop balladry with elements of jazz also popping up. There also is an appealing sassiness that makes her one to watch.

3. WINTERSLEEP (FEB. 26 4:30 P.M.)

THIS HALIFAX BAND SEEMS TO BE everywhere in the coming weeks so the show at Whistler won't be the only chance to see it. Melodic and appealing, Wintersleep has been establishing itself as one more of the country's diverse but substantial new bands, which has garnered a lot of international recognition. Wintersleep opened for Paul McCartney last summer.