Maria Schafer
"...leaves you wondering what she can't do." - The New York City Jazz Record
"Schafer's awareness of when to embellish and when to pull on the reins stands out among the current crop of jazz singers..." - Jefferson Public Radio
Ms. Schafer's creative arrangements and intimate chemistry with bandmates make even well-worn jazz standards sound fresh and her catchy originals do well to capture the human experience in a familiar way.
Previously, Maria toured full-time as the featured vocalist with The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra for two years, enjoying the opportunity to perform for audiences across the United States, Canada, and Japan as part of the GMO Orchestra. She has also performed in Australia, Latvia, and Spain with other groups as well as bandleader for her own band.
Schafer has made three albums releases on record label Marsch Music, No Broken Hearts (2019), Christmas in the City (2019), and To Know Love (2017) and can be heard as a featured vocalist on albums "So Right..." from The James Kob Experience, "Living In The Question" from sax player Eric Hirschhorn, and "Singin' In The Rain" and "Imagine", both from vocal jazz group Singcopation.
Awards
Maria has been awarded Outstanding Soloist Awards at the Next Generation Jazz Festival and Reno Jazz Festival, and for 4 consecutive years served as a leading member of vocal jazz groups which won Downbeat Student Awards for "Best Vocal Jazz Ensemble" and "Outstanding Performance". While in school she also won the Vocal category for the San Gabriel 7 Scholarship Competition as well as a Grant from the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation to attend the Riga Jazz International jazz competition in Riga, Latvia (with thanks to Christine Guter for the grant request).
Tags
This Downbeat darling is just the right tonic for jaded jazz ears." - Midwest Record
"A treat for anyone who considers themselves to be a Jazz aficionado, superb, smooth, evocative vocals, enveloped in equally emotive instrumentals." - Riveting Riffs "A knockout debut... leaves you wondering what she can't do." - The New York City Jazz Record
"A stunning debut. Make a note of Schafer's name, because you're going to be seeing and hearing it a lot over the coming years. With a voice like hers, there are no limits to how far this exceedingly talented lady can go." - babysue Reviews
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Album Discography
To Know Love...
From: To Know Love...By Maria Schafer
Body and Soul
From: To Know Love...By Maria Schafer
Videos
Maria Schafer
Location: Los Angeles
Instrument: Voice / vocals
Born: October 6
