About

 
“catchy, deep, and mighty”
– Independent Artist Buzz
“Maya Azucena brings a musical revolution”
– BuzzFeed News
“electrifying audiences with her emotive style and vocal…delivers with heart and soul every time you see her.”
– Nelson George, Author / Music Critic / Journalist / Filmmaker (Halle Berry, Chris Rock)
“…storytelling lyrics and soulful, soaring vocals.”
– Billboard Magazine
“…a remarkable new singer”
– Recording Magazine
“…voice is so sensuous and sultry…with inspirational themes.”
– Washington Post
“…like Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack.”
– NY Post
“Maya Azucena brings activism back to the Arts, ala Nina Simone”
– EBONY
“The Best Pipes at SXSW”
– Austin Chronicle
“…soul superstar in the making”
– SoulTracks.com (World’s #1 soul website)
“…she sang on, of justice with wings, of love in everything, of feeling good and feeling strong and how everything, everything, everything’s gonna be all right.”
– Washington Post
“Armed with a powerfully compelling voice, Azucena just could be the most impressive of the current hip-hop/soul/r&b diva crop…”
– Village Voice
“powerful vocals and broad range command attention…”
– Performing Songwriter Magazine
“Azucena comes across as a completely real character in her songs, someone you not only believe in, but you’re rooting for to win in the end.”
– East Bay Express
“Deep and soul-bearing, she sings like she’s been everywhere and seen it all.”
– CD Baby
Maya Azucena Band “has the power to ‘penetrate blocks’ and to touch people from different cultural backgrounds.”
– Chinese newspaper
“You are astonishing and your energy transformed consciousness.”
– Eve Ensler, Tony Award winning playwright, performer, and activist, the author of The Vagina Monologues, and Founder of V-Day and One Billion Rising, the worldwide campaign to end violence against women.
 

Biography

Maya Azucena, a magnetically inspirational woman, is known for making music that uplifts the soul. Among several awards for her music and humanitarian outreach, Azucena garnered a Grammy Certificate for contributing her 4-octave range and soul-stylings to a feature performance with Stephen Marley on Best Reggae Album of the Year, “Mind Control.”

Critically acclaimed, Brooklyn-native Maya is an avid independent touring artist and songwriter performing globally. Recent concerts include a 17-country tour of Europe in February 2019; Java Jazz Fest (Indonesia), CapeTown Jazz Fest (South Africa), Port Au Prince International Jazz Fest (Haiti), Rio Das Ostras Blues & Jazz Fest (Brazil), Moscow International House of Music (Russia), Pula Arena (Croatia), Delhi International Arts Festival (India), Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles), Blue Note Hawaii, Blue Note New York, and Essence Fest in New Orleans alongside the likes of Beyonce, Jill Scott and Maxwell.

For the last 3 summers, Azucena has done concert residencies at Bodrum Marina Yacht Club in Turkey, as well as luxury resorts including Lujo Hotel, Regnum Carya Golf Club, and Six Sense Kaplankaya. Maya performed an exclusive concert with her Turkish orchestra, singing her original songs arranged for Çukurova State Symphony of Adana. She was also included in Istanbul’s 2017 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, performing her song “Fearless” for the finale of Çigdem Akin’s runway show.

Maya collaborates extensively on stage and recordings with both national and international stars. Her collaborations have included Marcus Miller, Brass Against, Jason Miles, DJ Spinna, DJ Logic, Fitz and the Tantrums, Vernon Reid, and Bob Sinclair.

Maya is well known for her humanitarian outlook and projects around The Globe which include special focus on Women’s & Youth Empowerment and Domestic/Sexual Violence. Based on a personal commitment to help the world through her talent, most of Maya’s songs are anthems that lend a voice to self-worth, empowerment, overcoming obstacles, and stepping into our “fearless” selves.

NEW MUSIC: UNLEASH ME

Maya’s latest single and music video, “Unleash Me (Remix by BeatQuin) “, was released in May 2020 under Bahce Kat Muzik label. The song continues to gain attention as Maya’s management team plans for the release of a second single and EP this Summer.

“Unleash Me ” is an inspirational anthem for all who’ve had to overcome dark challenges in order to fly. It speaks to the greatness we walk with, that may have been undermined, hidden, or forbidden. It is a celebration of anyone who’s greatest potential still burns inside.

“We WILL fly! ” – Maya Azucena

Unleash Me - Released May 2020