“Music is the universal language that can bring people together. Music is medicine for the soul. The vocalist tells a story through lyrics to caress the melody.” ~ Maria Ho
With a smile in her voice, Maria's impeccable articulation and precise diction captivate audiences through a musical breeze of swinging standards, Brazilian rhythms and romantic ballads. Inspired by Nat King Cole, Freddie Cole, Marc Jordan, Ella Fitzgerald, Karrin Allyson and Nancy Wilson, her spellbinding stage presence will uplift your mind and brighten your day. Maria treats every song like a painting, drawing from her own experiences and interpretations of these timeless songs to engage with the listener.
Maria is a vocalist, recording artist and bandleader who is drawn to the Great American Songbook for its beautiful and classic melodies with witty, intelligent and subtle lyrics, written by some of the greatest composers of our time.
Maria's latest album "As Time Goes By" (2018) features North America's top instrumentalists Campbell Ryga, Seamus Blake, Torben Oxbol, Phil Dwyer and Lionel Young. With breathtaking arrangements by Torben Oxbol, this beautiful and mesmerizing album consists of timeless gems and enduring classics by Johnny Mandel, Michel Legrand, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Mercer and Burt Bacharach, to name a few. The album is custom designed, with liner notes, photographs and WAV quality music tracks. To get the physical album(s), please email: info@musicalbreeze.ca
Maria has recorded with Richie Cole, Warren Vaché, George Robert, Krishna Booker, Ian McDougall and Phil Dwyer. Her début album "Where or When" (2012) and second album "Smile" (2015) are receiving regular airplay on The Penthouse Radio in New York and on Breakfast Jazz on KUVO in Denver. “Just a Touch” was chosen as bumper music on Coast to Coast AM. Songs from the début album were also featured on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio, CBC Radio across Canada, DR P1 and DR P8 Jazz in Denmark.
The release of "As Time Goes By" coincides with the invitation to perform at The Five Point Jazz Festival in Denver, where Maria will be performing on the Main Stage with Richie Cole, along with Denver’s top musicians, Jeff Jenkins, Paul Romaine and Bijoux Barbosa.
“What a fabulous voice she’s got! She’s a great talent!” – Emmy Award-winner, Michael Leader, President of Leader D-Cinema Systems, Inc.
“You have excellent timbre … a voice suited to jazz.” – Ian McDougall, trombonist, composer, educator, Professor Emeritus – University of Victoria
“First of all, let me congratulate you on your great singing! Your voice sounds very full and has a very nice tone and timbre, and your intonation is perfect. I like your interpretation very much.” – George Robert, Director of the Jazz Department at Lausanne Conservatory in Switzerland, alto saxophonist, Officer in the Order of Arts and Letter of France.
“It’s difficult to put into words how much I love the music . . . it is flawless. I work as a police officer assigned to a high school. My drive home to our ranch takes awhile since my son and I live in the country. Point being, is I look forward to the end of the day listening to your music during the trip home. Even my 14-year old son listens to it with me. I will order more for my daughters and relatives. Thank you so much.” Sincerely, Rick Dutcher, Douglas, Wyoming
“I first heard your music on Coast to Coast with George Noory. I always listen to your music after work, or on a rainy day to make the sunshine come out and feel warm. I’m looking forward to hearing more great music from you in the future.” – Callen C. Carroll
“As a testimony to the power of live music, when it’s well-sung and well-played, I’d have to say that listening to Miss Ho’s lovely singing voice and the jazz instrumentals that accompanied it, I can say that it’s the happiest I’ve genuinely felt in 3 years of living in Vancouver. In fact, I can say that it’s the happiest I felt in the 5 years since my dad died.” – Dracul Van Helsing
“She’s good!” – George Noory, Coast to Coast AM
Read more...