Paula Maya, a Brazilian pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer, is known for her fresh and fiery musical style. It blends her South American roots, soulful voice, and impressive keyboard skills with her passion for songwriting and arranging.

Maya released her first CD, “New Perspective,” on Wow Mom Records in 1995. Five years later, she started her own record label, Yellow House Records, in Seattle after the title track of her EP, “Resurrection First Half,” was featured in the movie The Learning Curve.

She released three more records with her Seattle band, including her latest, “The 12,” released in March 2011, which led to Maya being featured as an Emerging Artist on the popular radio show, Coast To Coast AM, in March 2012. “The 12” is an eclectic collection of songs with musical undertones ranging from Latin to country to reggae. “Paula is truly a gifted songbird,” says Middletown, Connecticut, radio station WESU 88.1 FM. “Rarely do you find an artist with such superior talent and composure.”

Maya studied classical piano at the Federal University of Music in Rio de Janeiro, and she graduated from the Brazilian Music Conservatory with a degree in music theory. Before moving to the United States in 1993, Maya had the privilege of studying jazz, harmony, and bossa nova with legendary pianist/arranger/composer Luizinho Eca.

After meeting Maya and watching her show at Bar Vinicius in Ipanema, the great Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell praised her as a great young musician ahead of her generation. In Rio, she had the honor of playing with two of the most reputable Brazilian pop orchestras, Cuba Libre and the still-legendary Tabajara, which has performed for more than 75 years. Maya has shared the stage with artists such as Caetano Veloso, Leila Pinheiro, Djavan, Vinicius Cantuaria, Teo Lima and Batacoto, Cyril Nevil, Tab Benoit, and The Presidents of the United States of America.

For 12 years, Maya co-hosted a Brazilian radio show, Raizes, on KBCS 91.3 FM in Seattle. She now lives in Austin, Texas, when she’s not on tour.