NEW SOUND OF SOUL SERIES: MAYA AZUCENA

FEATURING:
Maya Azucena, vocals
Christian Ver Halen, guitar
Hagar Ben Ari, bass
Chris Rob, keyboards, vocals
Ivan Katz, drums
Rashida Bryant, vocals
Cole Williams, vocals

Some people are born with jaw-dropping talent, some born with a burning will to succeed, and some are born with a spirit to help those in need. Then there is Grammy winner Maya Azucena, a vocalist so richly talented that she has brought audiences to their feet all over the world. She is so driven that she has released her own music, won countless awards, and toured the planet all on her own. And she's a humanitarian who consistently uses these gifts to help make life better for those who have nothing.



Maya's concerts are often described as "spiritual" and "riveting". She's an electric performer with commanding stage presence and passionate delivery. Her music sounds like a cutting-edge version of Aretha Franklin mixed with the fire of Lauryn Hill and the songwriting talent of classic Stevie Wonder. A Chinese paper summed it up by saying "Ms Azucena has the power to 'penetrate blocks' and to touch people from different cultural backgrounds."

Maya is a true 21st Century success story. Rising from the streets of Brooklyn, her talent took her to the LaGuardia School of Performing Arts (the "Fame" school). Later she formed her band and started honing her performance skills all over the U.S. Her 2nd show found her opening for Gladys Knight in front of 8,000 people. She released her debut CD "Maya Who?!" by herself selling it at shows and from her website. It was this direct connection with fans that led to much of her success.

Her collaborations have also helped propel her career. Her duet with Stephen Marley netted her a Grammy Award, a rare feat for an independent artist. Her work with Croatian superstar Gibonni garnered two Croatian Grammy Awards (aka 'Porin'). And her work with Italian superstar DJ Jad had Maya performing on MTV in front of thousands. The list goes on and on.



Be prepared, Maya's own music is now making its way to the mainstream. Her song "Make It Happen" made it to #3 on the Billboard Dance chart. And you have probably heard her music used by HBO's "The Wire", Ford Motors, NBC's "30 Rock", Verizon Wireless, and numerous others, proving there is a growing demand for sensuous melodies and intelligent lyrics combined with powerful rhythms.
Most importantly, Maya Azucena believes that music is a tool for healing and activism. She sang in Washington DC at the Save Darfur Rally along with politicians and celebrities such as Barack Obama and George Clooney. She performed at the United Nations for the International Tsunami Relief show along with musicians from around the world. She produced Hope Night, a concert for domestic abuse awareness, which earned a Proclamation from the House of Representatives. Recently Maya has worked as a Cultural Ambassador representing the U.S. by performing in countries as varied as Sri Lanka, Honduras, and Myanmar.

Ms. Azucena is in the final stages of completing her newest CD titled "Cry Love". Musically, "Cry Love" is an energetic, lyrical mix of Azucena's distinctive blend of raw soul music. Initial listens by a major record label executive, as well as by editor-in-chief of a national music magazine, have inspired the use of the word "classic."