Maria Valeria: Facts And Figures
Maria Valeria was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. When she was 5
her grandfather bought her an eletric piano which became more
than an ordinary toy to her. She began to invent her own melodies,
her favorite occupation as a child.
Her serious classical piano education started when she was
7. Working with the best piano teachers in Bulgaria, all influenced
by the Russian classical schooling, was a rewarding challenge
for Maria. Exploring the beauty of classical music enabled
her to broaden her horizons and visions as a musician and
later as a composer.
While still being in High School she was lucky to meet the
contemporary pianist and composer Valery Tsvetkov, who later
became her partner in life and father of her two children.
He turned out to be her greatest influence in music. With
him she discovered a new philosophy in music, that every tone
had major value, that the key words could only be taste and
aesthetics.
After graduation at the English Language High School in Sofia
in 1991 she embarked on her first six months tour in the Middle
East.
Since 1992 she has been touring Scandinavia and Central Europe
as a pianist/vocalist/entertainer in the finest music clubs
and venues. That's where and when she first tried to sing
along with her piano playing - in order to find gigs more
easily. At first reluctant though strongly encouraged by her
spiritual mentor Valery Tsvetkov, then slowly but certainly
that became HER BIG, UNIQUE SPECIALTY. First her repertoire
consisted mainly of the unforgettable jazz standards sung
by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and of the
classics in pop music, songs by the Beatles, Elton John, Billy
Joel, The Eagles et al.
In 2000 she produced her first album “Waiting”,
containing 15 acoustic piano-vocal jazz standards. The same
year came a turning point: She began to write and arrange
her own songs.
Willy Bischof, one of the best known radio
personalities in Switzerland and a highly esteemed music critic,
wrote about her songs: “They have that instantly –
and in these times more and more lacking – ear-catching
quality, blending jazz and pop and her classical background
into a fascinating mixture“.
That he was not alone with his opinion proved her participation
in the “World Championship of Performing Arts”
in Hollywood in October’ 2003.
In 11 different instrumental and vocal categories she was
a.o. rewarded with
- 2 Overall Awards ‘Champion of the World 2003’
in the category “Contemporary Vocals” and “Original
Piano”
- 6 Golden Medals in “Contemporary Piano”,
“Original Piano”, “Piano-Vocal”, “Contemporary
Vocal”, “Latin Vocal”, “Original Vocal”.
In October'2003 she was a special guest at Ann Ruckert Radio
Show and Session of SGA (Songwriter's Guild of America) in
New York - where upon Ann's invitation Maria became member
of SGA and NARAS.
In November’ 2003 Maria Valeria played the famous LUCERNE
PIANO FESTIVAL, participating in the new “Off-Stage
Festival”, together with six other premier jazz pianists
of the U.S.A and Europe.
In April 2004 together with her good friend and fellow song
writer Norman Hale (member of Tornados, did live gigs with
the band of Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zepellin and Roy Orbison) –
MV goes to London where introduced by Norman she meets legendary
song-writer Barry Mason (author of more than 100 N1 hits,
such as Delilah, The Last Waltz, etc. sung by E. Presley,
Barbara Straisand, etc.)
In August the same year – Barry Mason and Norman Hale
– two old pals – took the plane to Sofia, Bulgaria
to attend the summer concert of Maria – where Barry
listened to her perform live for the first time.
A project was born in his head – Maria was probably
the right person to bring ‘The Last Waltz’ back
to life. A few months later Maria recorded 4 songs in Lakeside
studio in Lucerne, Switzerland – among which ‘The
Last Waltz’, one of her own originals and a song of
Norman Hale.
Three of them are still working on that project.
Maria Valeria is currently working on her original music
project, recording and doing live gigs – solo or with
Italian guitar/sax player Massimo Gini.
Her gigs dates list is available in ‘Itenerary’.
Maria is also a member of ASCAP and SUISA.
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Willy Bischof, one of the best known radio
personalities in Switzerland and a highly esteemed music critic,
wrote about her songs: “They have that instantly –
and in these times more and more lacking – ear-catching
quality, blending jazz and pop and her classical background
into a fascinating mixture“.
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I've heard Maria Valeria a couple of times. I was fascinated
by the way she combines piano playing and singing. Maria is
a very big artist; I am longing to see and hear her again
soon. Bet you'll feel the sam!
Hazy Osterwald
(big band leader and musician)
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"Only the 'best of the best' aspiring performing artists
can be invited to the World Championships of Performing Arts
in Hollywood, cited as the only official
Talent Olympics in the world! Maria Valeria made an impressive
mark at this global event by winning 2 overall awards in addition
to prestigious medals:
6 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze! All of us predict great success
for this outstanding artist!"
Griff O'Neil, President
World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood
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