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"Don't take this the wrong way, but you play like a man" said Jimmy Thackery the last time he heard her play.She has music and entertainment in her blood. Maria grew up in North Tonawanda, New York with her home being the stop-over to many traveling entertainers who played Melody Fair in the late 60's, early 70's and who visited her singer/dancer/entertainer father, Jay Aurigema. She went on to graduate from The State University of New York at Fredonia with a degree in instrumental music, received her master's degree in creative studies from Buffalo State College and currently works as an instrumental music instructor in Kenmore, NY. Maria studied guitar at SUNY Fredonia for four years with Jim Piorkowski, formerly of the Buffalo Guitar Quartet, and with Buffalo jazz guitarist Stu Weissman for four years. She was formerly a core member of Wild in Blue, Fitzhugh and the Fanatics, and an Emile Latimer project which spanned a total of almost 10 years. Maria's combined influences of world beat, roots rock, jazz, blues and soul have developed such a style that once you hear her it certainly suggests big things to come! Maria has traced the roots of rock players such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page back to the immortal sounds of players like Albert and BB King and has drawn upon these influences. Along with singing and playing with passion and abandon she warmly chats to the crowd and creates a genuine atmosphere.
"The time has come to devote more time to my own project" says Maria, and that is just what she has done. Maria has just released her debut C.D. entitled "Take Me" which contains mostly original music and hosts Downchild Blues Band members: Gary Kendall (bass), Mike Fitzpatrick (drums), Mike Fonfara (keyboards) and Pat Carey (sax). Also rounding out the line-up are: Larry Goodhand (guitar), Wayne St. John (percussion) and Toronto's own Jeff Healey appears as "special guest" guitarist on three tracks.
It's hard to imagine anyone not being impressed with Maria and her music! She's like a freight train picking up speed! (please visit mariaaurigema.com for more information)
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