Talia Pnina Billig (born May 12, 1988), known professionally as Taali, is a Grammy nominated American singer, songwriter, and record producer. She cofounded Rainbow Blonde Records alongside José James and Brian Bender.
Early life and education Billig was born in New York City to a musical Jewish family. She first played piano at her grandmother's apartment in Washington Heights, Manhattan at five years old. She moved with her family to Hastings-on-Hudson, New York in 1993., and attended Hastings High School.
After high school she attended college at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music where she studied with Becca Stevens and Sasha Dobson.
Music career During her time at the New School, Billig launched her video salon The Orchard Sessions, filmed out of her Lower East Side apartment. Totaling 18 sessions, The Orchard Sessions featured Billig alongside artists like José James, Snarky Puppy, Becca Stevens, Luke Temple, Matt Simons, Camila Meza, Johanna Warren and Charlotte Cornfield.
She also worked at Blue Note Records for Bruce Lundvall and Don Was.
In 2014, José James invited her to write on his second Blue Note album While You Were Sleeping. Billig co-wrote two songs, and was invited on world tour with him to support the album.
In 2017, Billig moved from New York City to Los Angeles. During this time she wrote, produced and released her debut album I Am Here under her own label, Rainbow Blonde Records. Its first single's video, "Hear You Now," premiered in Billboard. While in Los Angeles she also shifted from her birth name to stage name Taali, to honor her family's nickname for her.
Taali moved back to New York City in 2019, and released two more EPs, Were Most Of Your Stars Out? and Were You Busy Writing Your Heart Out? both on Rainbow Blonde Records.
In January 2021 Taali received a visa to move to Amsterdam as an artist in residence / guest faculty at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. There she taught at both the pop and jazz school. While in Amsterdam she launched her weekly newsletter Taali Talk, which is emailed to subscribers every Sunday. She also toured European venues including the Concertgebouw, Paradiso, and Ancienne Belgique.
In June 2022 Taali moved from Amsterdam back to the United States, specifically Pasadena, where she now lives.
Awards Talia Billig was nominated in 2021 for a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals for her work with Becca Stevens.
Personal life Billig married José James on May 5, 2019.
Billig and James live in Pasadena.
Discography LPs I Am Here (Rainbow Blonde Records, 2019) I Am Here: Mentals (Rainbow Blonde Records, 2020) When Did The World Start Ending? (Live at Levon Helm Studios) (Rainbow Blonde Records, 2021) taali (Rainbow Blonde Records, 2023)
EPs Were Most Of Your Stars Out? (Rainbow Blonde Records, 2019) Were You Busy Writing Your Heart Out? (Rainbow Blonde Records, 2020)
Credits
YearAlbumArtistSongsCredits2024Sometimes, Late At NightJharis YokleyWas It Really Love Vocals20241978José JamesLet's Get It, Isis & Osiris, Planet Nine, Saturday Night (Need You Now), Dark Side of The Sun (feat. Baloji_(rapper)), Place of Worship (feat. Xênia_França)String Arrangement, Vocal Arrangement, Composer, lyricist, Vocals, Handclaps2022ache forMoby ache for Composer, lyricist, Vocals2021Merry Christmas from José JamesJosé James Christmas in New York, Christmas Day, This ChristmasComposer, lyricist, Vocals2020No Beginning No End 2José James You Know What It Do, Turn Me Up (feat. Aloe Blacc), Feels So Good (feat. Cecily), Baby Don't Cry (feat. J. Hoard), I Found A Love (feat. Taali), Saint James, Oracle (高尾山) (feat. Hindi Zahra and Erik Truffaz)Composer, lyricist, Synthesizer, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals, Xylophone2020WonderbloomBecca StevensSlow Burn (feat. Jacob Collier), Feels Like This, Halfway (feat. Laura Perrudin) Composer, lyricist2019Lune RougeErik Truffaz Reflections (feat. José James) Lyricist2017Love in a Time Of MadnessJosé JamesRemember Our Love, Live Your Fantasy, To Be With You, Breakthrough, I'm YoursComposer, lyricist 2014While You Were SleepingJosé JamesU R The 1, Without UComposer, lyricist
External links Official website
References