Maria Luiza

Born in São Paulo on April 28, 1996, Maria Luiza is a Rio de Janeiro-based Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress, who enjoys experimenting with different sounds, lyrics in multiple languages, and artistic endeavors, doing it it all effortlessly. At 19 years of age, Maria Luiza is a talented performer in the new generation of Brazilian music. She began her career at the early age of 13, performing on her own solo concerts, or opening for well-known artists such as Ed Motta, Andrew Bird, Fernanda Takai, Andy Summers and Selah Sue. In particular, in one such event she opened for Roberto Menescal, which was the genesis for a lasting relationship of friendship and mutual respect. In 2012 she recorded the song “Assim Como um Amor”, with Roberto Menescal, which they subsequently performed at a concert in Florianópolis. In 2013 she participated in the concert “30 Years without Elis Regina”, with a riveting interpretation of “Aguas de Marco”: In 2014 she recorded her first CD, “Pequena”, produced by Rodrigo Campello, and released by Coqueiro Verde Records. The CD features the opening track “Doze”, a pop-jazz song written by Maria Luiza. The CD also includes the song “Victimless Crime”, which Maria Luiza wrote and performed in English. The song is featured in the soundtrack of the movie “Confissões de Adolescente”, directed by Daniel Filho. However, due to her contract with the Globo TV network after being cast in the soap-opera "Malhação", the CD could only be released on March 5th 2015, by Coqueiro Verde Records. "Pequena" was her first CD. It represents the culmination of years of dedication on drafts, singing lessons, piano practice, experimentation and evolution. In December 2014, Maria Luiza had her first live concert in Rio de Janeiro for "Pequena". The concert engaged an attentive and enthusiastic audience at the iconic Copacabana Beach. In April 2015 Maria Luiza kicked off the Pequena Tour, which covered 10 major cities between May and December of 2015. After the first concert in the tour, Maria Luiza was invited to perform in the "Rock Street" at the internationally renowned "Rock in Rio" music festival. On a different front, in 2016, Maria Luiza started a partnership with bossa nova guitarist Robertal Menescal on a new CD that brings together Jazz and Bossa Nova. The CD and concert tour “Jazz in Bossa, Bossa in Jazz” includes innovative original arrangements from Roberto Menescal, bringing a Bossa Nova flavor to classic Jazz songs, and a Jazz style to Bossa Nova classics. Fusing Bossa Nova and Jazz recaptures an important moment in the history of Brazilian music, while highlighting its roots in Jazz. It showcases the cultural diversity that is so characteristic of Brazil. In 2017, she started to work with musical director and record producer Arnaldo DeSouteiro, doing an acclaimed four-week engagement in July at the legendary nightclub Bottle's Bar, in Rio de Janeiro, leading the Maria Luiza SuperBand that features guitar ace João Castilho and renowned bassist André Rodrigues.