Maria the Mexican
These two sisters from KC have great vocals and are showcasing their talent during several performances in November to kickoff the release of their debut CD, Moon Colored Jade. Described as a mix of Americana Soul/Mexicana Groove, Maria the Mexican has the right combination of talent and looks. They are getting national attention and will be the next great thing to come out of Kansas City.
Maria and Tess Cuevas have teamed up with blues/funk musician Garrett Nordstrom to play Mariachi guitar. Lifelong musicians from the Midwest, Nordstrom and the Cuevas Sisters work with guitarist Jason Riley to provide strong riffs backing their smooth vocals. Think Heart meets Santana.
The Cuevas sisters have a great family history. Half Hispanic and half Irish, they are the granddaughters of legendary Mariachi pioneer Teresa Cuevas, one of the first female Mariachi artists in the country. She is honored at the Topeka History Museum. One of the first all female mariachi bands in the country, Maria Teresa Alonzo Cuevas is a well-known persona in the Hispanic musical community. Her band flourished in the 80s but was struck by tragedy when four of the seven members were killed in the Hyatt Skywalk collapse in 1981. Once Teresa recovered she began teaching her grandchildren Mariachi music.
The girls began playing with their grandmother at the age of 11. Maria is a classically trained guitarist, pianist, and vocalist. Don’t let her blonde locks fool you, her Latina blood runs strong. Named after their grandmother, Teresa (Tess) Cuevas is the brunette beauty behind Maria the Mexican. Her soulful violin riffs and seductive voice ring out with emotion on the album. Tess is a classically trained violinist and vocalist. Both are graduates of the University of Kansas.
The band writes all of their own material. The original lyrics and the mix of harmonies on the album are a refreshing change to the monotony of mainstream music today. With a southwestern flare and melancholy motifs, Maria The Mexican rocks it out in Spanish and English with a host of emotion.
Their debut album, Moon Colored Jade, is available online and at Love Garden Records in Lawrence.
Check them out live soon at one of the following dates:
November 1, 830 p.m.
Knuckleheads Saloon, Kansas City, MO
November 2, 11 p.m.
Record Bar, Kansas City, MO
November 8,
Fairview Community Center, Fairview KS
November 16, 7 p.m.
The Phoenix, Kansas City, MO
November 20, 8pm
The Riot Room, Kansas City MO
More info: www.mariathemexican.com
