Singer/songwriter Maia Kuze has finally set her sights on her own backyard.  A recognized Canadian musical icon in her family's native Latvia, Maia has defined her own distinctive variety of jazz/pop music with the fall release of her Canadian full-length CD The City.  "I don't believe this album could have been created anywhere but Toronto," says Maia enthusiastically.  “It was inspired by my life experiences living and loving in a big, vibrant city”.

Canadian born and raised, Maia has been singing most of her life.  By the time her full length debut CD Dreamlight became a hit in Europe, Maia was well established with numerous jazz and dance-pop singles hitting the Top Ten radio charts.  While becoming a fixture on the Toronto jazz circuit, Maia's career took a key turn when she met well-known singer/producer Virgil Scott and began work on her third CD.  Virgil Scott pooled some of Canada’s greatest players and all the bed tracks were recorded “live off the floor”:

Michael Fonfara (Keyboards) – Foreigner; Lou Reed; Downchild

Charlie Cooley (Drums & Percussion) – Amanda Marshall; Prairie Oyster; Manteca

Garth Vogan (Bass) – Sharon, Lois & Bram; Shirley Eckhard

Jake Langley (Guitar) – Joey DeFrancesco Trio

Simon Wallis (Alto & Tenor Saxophones & Flute)

Coming off a successful performance in the hit musical “Eslingena” (11 sold-out shows in the 800 seat National Theatre in Riga, the capital city of Latvia), Maia first released The City in Europe in July, 2005, and the single “Hey, You!” is currently on rotation in Riga’s top radio station.  Its Canadian debut will be at C’est What on Nov. 28^th, 2005.

From small jazz rooms throughout Toronto to theatre concerts in Europe, she delights audiences with her clear, passionate tones.  With the release of The City, Maia brings her own unique jazz/pop sound to both her native land Canada, and her ancestral home Latvia.