Maria Puga Lareo’s brand new album My Universe (out October 18th, 2024 via Outside in Music) invites you into a world where jazz and Brazilian rhythms intertwine, creating a sublime listening experience.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she began her professional career in her early twenties by singing in the culturally rich city’s clubs, theaters, and at jazz festivals. In 2000, the popular Fox Sports TV program Limite 4x4, broadcast in over 25 countries, asked Maria to co-write and sing their title theme.

In 2005, she released her self-produced debut album, Body and Soul, and followed in 2011 with Facetas, which was recorded both in New York and Buenos Aires with arrangements by multi-GRAMMY-winning pianist-arranger-conductor Carlos Franzetti and featuring legendary bassist Eddie Gómez, jazz producer Fernando Gelbard on flute, Ed Uribe on drums, Latin GRAMMY-winning guitarist Quique Sinesi and pianist Frank Collett.

Celebrated in Argentina and particularly well-received in Japan, Facetas also received positive acclaim from Arturo Sandoval, Lalo Schifrin, and Jorge Calandrelli, among others.

Featuring lush string arrangements by Grammy-winner Nan Schwartz and spirited collaborations with L.A.’s top musicians, this new album showcases Maria’s heartfelt originals and soul-stirring interpretations of beloved standards.

1. Make Someone Happy
2. The Song Is You
3. Depois de Tanto Tempo - Intro
4. Depois de Tanto Tempo
5. Spring
6. Till the End of the World
7. Cherokee
8. We’ll Be Together Again
9. At the End of the Night
10. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar

This gloriously sumptuous new recording, opens on the languishing beauty of Make Someone Happy and the free flowing The Song Is You, and after a quick, minute-long intro, the whole, atmospherically low slung track Depois de Tanto Tempo is brought forth, and is backed by the delicately-hued Spring.

Along next is the all-embracing Till the End of the World and that is in turn followed by the spirited Cherokee, a dutifully inhabited, horn-imbibed We’ll Be Together Again, the album rounding out on the soulful R&B jazz of At the End of the Night, closing on the delicate Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar.

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