Following the tradition of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) artists such as Caetano Veloso and Adriana Calcanhoto, and adding her own unique style into the mix, bi-lingual singer / songwriter / keyboardist, originally from Rio de Janeiro, writes songs that incorporate her music roots into American and World beats such as Rock, Ska and Reggae.  ...
Following the tradition of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) artists such as Caetano Veloso and Adriana Calcanhoto, and adding her own unique style into the mix, bi-lingual singer / songwriter / keyboardist, originally from Rio de Janeiro, writes songs that incorporate her music roots into American and World beats such as Rock, Ska and Reggae. Paula Maya is a gifted keyboardist and a singer with an unmistakable voice. She has an unique songwriting style that draws from her very diverse musical influences. Maya studied classical piano at the Brazilian Federal University of Music and graduated from the Brazilian Conservatory in music theory. She also studied Medieval music, a genre she has a passion for. While attending classical piano music school at the UFRJ, at home Paula was listening to Miles Davis and Progressive Rock groups. After 2 years she quit the university. 'That was when my bofriend saw Luizinho Eca on TV and told me I should set up a lesson. The rest is history!' It was with the legendary pianist / arranger Luizinho Eca, in her late teens, that she was exposed to the wonders of harmony and improvisation. At the same time Maya was starting her career as a professional musician, and was fortunate to play with the Marcos Szpilman small jazz ensemble, and 2 of the most reputable dance orquestras at the time: 'Cuba Libre', and the still legendary 'Tabajara' - performing for over 75 years! Besides performing with her band at the time, 'Tao', and with several MPB / Pop / Rock groups. In Brazil Paula had the pleasure to share the stage with artists such as Caetano Veloso, Leila Pinheiro and Djavan. But it was after she moved to the US in 1993, first briefly to Houston TX, then to Seattle WA for several years, that she fell in love with Rock, Reggae, Afro-Pop and Ska. In Seattle she played with Jamaican artist Alric Forbes (from the legendary reggae group Gladiators). She's been touring WA, CA and TX for the last few years, and her band has opened for and/or shared stage with: The Presidents of the United States of America, Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, Vinicius Cantuaria, Batacoto.
Paula Maya co-hosted the Brazilian music radio show Raizes for 12 years on KBCS 91.3fm in Bellevue/Seattle.
Maya released her 1st record 'New Perspective' on Houston label Wow Mom Records in 1995. Since then she started her own record label Yellow House Records in Seattle and released 4 albums of original music. Maya has also been featured in music compilations. Paula recently moved to Austin, TX USA
BOOKING CONTACT: Burle Niemeyer burleyhr@gmail.com www.paulamaya.com
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