Maria Alejandra Rodriguez, producer, composer and performer, emigrated from Venezuela several years ago and has been entertaining her audiences, in Spanish, with bossa nova, cha cha and Latin jazz. It is, however, her program of boleros, (the torch like love songs first popularized at the end of 18th century Spain and spread extensively throughout 19th century Cuba) and many originals written by her, that embraces her audience and leaves them asking for more. Maria moves about the stage with the lightness of a gentle fawn exhibiting her solid musicianship that ranges from lyrical and bright to a slow whisper. At times she accompanies her band on a cuatro (a small Venezuelan guitar) with warmth all the while capturing her audience with her first class musicianship and highly expressive charm. Band Members: Maria Alejandra Rodriguez, vocalist, cuatro; Paul Meyers, guitar; Leo Traversa, guitar; Machek Schejbal, drums.March 22, 2019; Club Bonafide, New York City
Review and photos by Maria Passannante-Derr
