About the Artist
About Maija
With three critically acclaimed CDs to her credit, Maija is a veteran jazz vocalist and songwriter. Maija’s shows are frequently a standing room only audience experience. Maija has also been awarded the Jazz Service Award by the Capital Hill Jazz Foundation for her contribution in building the careers of many jazz artists in the DMV.
Maija has been performing in the DMV since the 90’s appearing with such greats as Keter Betts, Buck Hill, Bob Butta, Charlie Byrd, David Kane, Drew Gress, James King, Claudio Roditi, Paul Bollenbach, Richard Miller, Wayne Wilentz, David Jernigan, Mike Smith and James West. She studied jazz in DC at the Levine School and with many of the top singers in the DC area. Maija has performed at all the great DMV jazz venues, such as Blues Alley, the MidAtlantic Jazz Festival, JoJo’s Restaurant, Twins, Bethesda Blues and Jazz, Normandie Farm Inn, and Mr. Henry’s Restaurant.
Maija’s first album "Before We Lose Tomorrow," released in 1993, was lauded by local and national jazz critics and aired on jazz stations in the US, Japan, Europe and on Voice of America. Her second album, "In Another Lifetime," released in 1996, was also acclaimed by critics in Jazz Times, Cadence, the Washington Post, and other publications here and abroad. Maija penned the title cut "In Another Lifetime," which also contained some fresh new sambas written by Valucha de Castro.
With three critically acclaimed CDs to her credit, Brazilian music has always been a centerpiece of Maija's shows and albums. In June 2016, she released an album of all Brazilian tunes, “Influência do Jazz,” featuring many of the world class musicians who have played with her over the years.
For the last 5 years, Maija has been spending a lot of her time mentoring fellow singers and running showcases to offer opportunities for first time singers. Maija also curates a series at Mr. Henry’s called Groove Thursdays which presents artists from all many different genres and has been very successful in its third year.
Reviews
Maija will surprise you with an astounding rhythmic ear, and more importantly, horsepower to go with that ear. She also has a marvelous facility with the delicate lyricisms of the Brazilian Portuguese tongue... Mike West, City Paper.
No matter what the origin of the ballad or the setting, whether it's Ivan Lins's cautionary title track or an unusual and decidedly bluesy recitation of "I've Got to Use My Imagination," there's no mistaking the alternately tender and sultry allure of Maija's interpretations… Mike Joyce, Washington Post.
In Another Lifetime, Maija performs with fervent ardor, passionate on jazz standards… Jazztimes
Maija has a slightly husky voice with overtones of Camen MacRae and Chris Connor in her singing and Sarah Vaughan in her scatting. Her CD has a swinging and seductively performed program of standards, Latin songs and a couple of surprises. Eyebrows miaht be raised at the inclusion of two 70's pop hits, Roberta Flack's and Donnie Hathaways "Where Is The Love" and Gladys Knight's "I've Got to Use My Imagination," but don't worry. "Where Is The Love" is reshaped into a moderate-tempo jazz tune with laidback horn punctuation and "Imagination" is a slow blues with stalking bass and a lowdown tenor solo by Glenn Cashman. Mike Crotty's sharp hom arranging on several tracks is a plus but the feature is really Maija's voice, an instrument with soul, class and vitality. She's an excellent addition to the world of jazz singing… Cadence
