press

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Grammy Certificate for collaboration with Stephen Marley on Mind Control, Best Reggae Album of the Year
40 Under Forty Achievement Award: The Network Journal’s 13th Annual list of outstanding business, leadership, and community service
Best Female Vocal: ABC Radio Network’s Fame Games EFFIGY Awards
Best Female Vocalist nominee: Soul Tracks Readers Choice Awards
Best Live Performer of the Year: Agape Indie Soul Awards
Best Alternative Artist of the Year: AllHipHop.com

PRESS QUOTES:  
“…storytelling lyrics and soulful, soaring vocals.” – Billboard Magazine

“…like Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack.” – NY Post

“The Best Pipes at SXSW” – Austin Chronicle   

“…soul superstar in the making” – SoulTracks.com (World’s #1 soul website)   

“…a remarkable new singer” – Recording Magazine   

“…voice is so sensuous and sultry…with inspirational themes.” – Washington Post  

“Armed with a powerfully compelling voice, Azucena just could be the most impressive of the current hip-hop/soul/r&b diva crop…” – Village Voice

“powerful vocals and broad range command attention…” – Performing Songwriter Magazine
“Azucena comes across as a completely real character in her songs, someone you not only believe in, but you’re rooting for to win in the end.” - East Bay Express

“Deep and soul-bearing, she sings like she’s been everywhere and seen it all.” - CD Baby

MAYA AZUCENA BAND “has the power to ‘penetrate blocks’ and to touch people from different cultural backgrounds.” - Chinese newspaper, April 2008

"Junkyard Jewel is - People's Music. Truly a blast of fresh air! ...Her incredible voice is out there in 3D and we are all better off for hearing it in it's purity.” - Brian Michel Bacchus (Soul Feast Music; A&R/ Blue Note Records, Norah Jones)

“…storytelling lyrics and soulful, soaring vocals.” – Billboard Magazine

“It is an ambitious, acoustic album that should solidify her position as a soul superstar in the making” – SoulTracks.com (World’s 1 soul music web site)

“Junkyard Jewel…a remarkable new singer’s album” – Recording Magazine

“Maya has a very beautiful, soul voice… and she's very convincing with what she is singing about” - Stephen Marley