Europe Jazz Network
MUSICIANS
MARÍA RIVASvocalist, composer
Official website: http://venezuela.opec.org/maria.htm
MARÍA RIVASOfficial website: http://venezuela.opec.org/maria.htm
María Rivas is Venezuela's premier contemporary vocalist and composer. A native of Caracas, her style truly represents the "new Americas". Drawing on the cultural richness of her homeland, her unique popular sound is an intoxicating blend of indigenous, European and African strains, with just the right splash of Brazilian and Latin Jazz. María Rivas is a remarkably gifted and versatile artist; an international star in the making.
María began singing professionally in locali night clubs in 1985, but
soon moved to Aruba where, for 2 1/2 years, she performed a nightly
show of jazz standards entitled "Sentimental Journey Through Jazz".
She returned to Caracas and began performing in the city's most
important venues, quickly becoming one of Venezuela's best loved
and most highly respected performing artists. Her beauty and
expressiveness; the dynamism and spontaneity of her live
performances; her mastery of English, Spanish and Portuguese; and
her social consciousness as a leader in the region's environmental
movement soon built a large corps of fanatic and loyal fans.
María has recorded 4 albums since 1990. Primogenito
("Firstborn) produced her first hit single; the self-composed
"El Motorizado" ("The Motocyclist"). Her second album,
Manduco, released in 1992, included the hit "Manduco", which
stayed at the top of the charts for weeks and has become one of her
signature sounds.
In 1994, María released her third album, Mapale. It produced
a hit single, the romantic jazz bolero "Como lo haces tú",
which reached the top ten of the Venezuelan charts. EMI Music
International in London chose two tracks to be included in their
international collection, the Hemisphere Series , which
they released in almost 50 countries.
With the late 1996 release of Muare, with Angel Falls
Productions Panama, María crafted a classical repertory of jazz
standards, performed with an original Latin flavor. Featuring unique
and exciting arrangements by Alberto Naranjo and the participation
of Dino Nugent, musical director of Ruben Blades' band, it represents
a melding of two musical textures, balancing Latin arrangements and
the classical instrumentation of American jazz. The work - a cocktail
of congas: palm leaves and coconut water with a splash of scotch -
has gathered rave reviews from fans and critics alike, and was
selected "Pick of the Week" by Latin Music On-Line.
María and her tours have created a fan base in Venezuela, Colombia,
Brazil, Austria, Portugal, Bolivia, Panamá, Aruba, Puerto Rico,
and the Dominican Republic. Honored with many of Latin America's
prestigious "Female Vocalist of the Year" awards, she has been
awarded the "La Venus de la Prensa", "Cacique de Oro", "Guaicaipuro
de Oro", "Premio Mata de Oro", "Premio Nacional de la Casa del Artista",
and the São Paulo Association of Journalist's coveted
"Premio Blanco y Negro". She is equally proud of receiving the
William H.Phelps award in recognition of her environmental leadership.
María has repeatedly appeared on Venezuela's most important
televised musical programs, and as guest artist with the Venezuelan
Symphony Orchestra and its Big Band. She has also performed in many
of the major music festivals of the Caribbean, including repeat
appearances at the Aruba Jazz Festival. She has shared the stage
with many of Latin America's most respected performers including
Ruben Blades, Juan Luis Guerra and 4.40, Cheo Feliciano, Arturo
Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Leila Pinheiro, Leny Andrade Y Zimbo Trio
De Brazil.
Most recently María completed overseas performances in Austria
and Portugal, headlining her Venezuela... Three Races Interwined
concert for both the OPEC Ministers in Vienna, and an European
environmental conference in Lisbon. Preparations are underway for a
return to Europe (Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France,
Spain and Portugal) and appearances in North America (Miami and
New York) and the Latin America/Caribbean region (Aruba, Colombia,
Venezuela).
"... some of the most exotic, sensuous, and beautiful music your ears will have the pleasure of enjoying. María's voice is seductive". - George Rivera, Latin Music On-Line
September 98
For booking, contact:
EMMECI S.A.S.
Piazza G.Marconi, 16
63024 Grottazzolina (AP), I
tel. +39 0734 632862
fax +39 0734 631550
e-mail emmeci@sgol.it