For years, singer/songwriter, Maria McNeil has written songs and performs songs that do not follow the industry's formula. She has made it a point to sing about important issues and deep struggles with in herself and society. Influenced by such artists as Carole King, Amel Larrieux and Sarah Vaughan, McNeil has created a unique style that is raw and original. She blends Jazz, R&B and other genres making a bouquet of all she has experienced."I don't back away from a painful moment or a new idea," said McNeil. "I try to be honest with myself and let that come through in my work."
From late 2005 through July of 2007 McNeil started her own band called the Maria McNeil Group. The band featured Aaron Robertson on drums, Akira Tanidano on horn, Hiro Sakaba on bass and Aiko Onuma ..s. The band was featured on BIRN (Berklee internet radio) and also in press such as the Performer and Boston Now.
After taking a short break, McNeil is going back to what she does best. Giving her songs new life singing behind the piano. Having performed in a growing number of clubs around Boston, New York City and throughout the New England area, McNeil already enjoys a fan base from her hometown in Chicago. All together McNeil's music shows a sense of depth and grace which people have been craving.
McNeil also worked as a songwriter for Join Project Productions, co-writing with Jay Young. Her voice can be heard on tracks "All I Want to Know" and "Inner Sunrise".
Maria's song "Get It Right" appears on Indie Music for Life's compilation album. 2008 Indie Music For Life compilation CD (2 disc set) The proceeds go to fund research for curing and preventing cancer.
Maria has performed at the following venues:
New England: Virgin Megastore, , Club Passim, T.T. The Bear's, Berklee Performance Center, , Kennedy's Midtown, Solstice Cafe, The Kirkland Cafe, The Sky Bar, The Burren, All Asia, Lily Pad, Midway Café, Music in Melrose, Felt, Limelight Stage & Studios, Java Room, Bread of Life benefit -(Church of the Nazarene), Brookline Tai Chi, Lincoln Street Café, Brooklyn Tea House (Rhode Island).
New York: 169bar, Mo Pitkin's, Cornelia Street Café, Soho 323.
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