During her decades Maffei has performed in Ixtapa, Mexico at the Club Med, the United Nations, naval bases, bars, clubs and coffeehouses throughout New England. She has been likened to Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Joan Armatrading, Ellen DeGeneres for her humor and David Lee Roth for her jumps in Top 40 years. Maffei has opened for, or shared the stage with artists including Tracy Chapman, Pete Seeger, Bill Staines, Bob Franke, Loren&Mark, Sally Rogers, Jake Armerding, Guy Carawan, Moe Dixon, the James Montgomery Band and Cris Williamson.
Though Maffei has flown largely under the radar, her songs have won prestige from the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest as Gold medal winner; the United Nations for their ‘Year of the Child’ celebration; the Boston Pops for 'Run Boston Strong's consideration as televised tribute closing song on the Boston Marathon bombing anniversary; the Boston Athletic Association as Anthem for their 2013-2014 race season culminating in its broadcast at that year's Boston Marathon. Maffei and her songs have been featured on cable and network TV and radio broadcasts as well.
Seeking a producer for her album 'Both Sides Now' Maffei’s music caught the attention of Crit Harmon, producer for artists including Martin Sexton, Susan Werner and the young Lori McKenna, a recent Grammy Award winner. Harmon enlisted Emmy Award Winner Brad Hatfield as music director, and together with Maffei and a team of topnotch instrumentalists, including Stan Strickland and Duke Levine, they created a refreshing and captivating work. Maffei’s ‘Both Sides Now’ celebrates the ‘up and down’, ‘give and take’, ‘win and lose’ of life.
“I’m very excited about this, my second debut album,” says Maffei, “Second, because I self produced my first.”
‘Both Sides Now’, Maffei's professional debut album, rides high on the wings of masters. Brad Hatfield enlisted drummer Jim Gwyn and bassist Marty Ballou. They knocked out eleven tunes in a two day session, reportedly ‘in the pocket’ every take. The evening of the second day Stan Strickland crossed Q Division’s threshold with his multi-woodwinds and with his work sent the recording soaring. "Each of these musicians walks with a world of music in their souls.”
Post Q Division at Crit's home studio, Fabio Pirozzolo, Vance Gilbert, Barbara Kessler and Duke Levine brought their considerable talents to the mix. Consuelo Candelaria-Barry, Ron Mahdi, Steve Langone and Phillippe Crettien graced Q’s rooms earlier, producing two stunning tunes that cap the album. “With all this musical genius at work, you can imagine my excitement.”
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