MARIA HOWELL

Interview 10 June 2001

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An update from Maria 27 October 2002

Hello Mike,

How are you? It's been a long while since I've been able to sit down and get real nitty gritty with responding to emails. Been working in the Atlanta, Georgia area, where all the music seems to be happening!

I'm performing regularly at a place called Sambuca Jazz Cafe and it's really nice. I've been creating a strong following here. Still working on some ideas for a new recording, and happy that my last CD is still selling around the world. I hope to make it to Europe sometime in the future, any ideas on where to start?(smile)

I'm happy to be here in this area, although I miss some elements about Japan. Here in the states, I'm able to do more in the acting field, and I missed doing that for 6 years while living abroad. Please post my website and encourage people to email me, I love to hear from fans.

As far as music is going on with me, and the new ones I really like, India Arie is hot, and I even cover some of her tunes, Angie Stone is still one of my favs and of course the classic jazz vocalists will forever keep a soft spot in my heart and repertoire. Sarah Vaughn, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and the newly Diana Krall, and most of all Natalie Cole!

Thanks for your patience and support!

Musically yours,

Maria Howell
www.mariahowell.com

Tell me a bit about the album, how it came about, what sort of material is it and what do you hope it will achieve?

The album is a collection of songs that tell about the different aspects of relationships, the majority of them pertaining to love, but one in particular, which is a remake, is about growing up, "To Sir, With Love". It has always been a favorite song of mine, and I decided to do it, not knowing that my album would make it's way to Europe this soon.(smile) . I'm pretty much a positive person, and I always like to have hope in people and the world at large, so my own lyrics usually are a reflection of my nature. This album came about as a result of me wanting to get my name out there while spending time in Japan. I've always had aspirations of becoming a worldwide artist, while maintaining an approachable style and persona. And hopefully, I will achieve that.

Now say a few things about your past and how you got where you are today.

I am from North Carolina, a southern girl at heart (smile) and I grew up singing on the church choir and in school. I had aspirations to become a singer and actress at a very early age. It was something inside of me that wouldn't go away, so I followed it instinctively. I feel I got where I am today because, like I said, I felt this "thing" inside and I didn't deny it. I thank God everyday for that. I believe strongly in God, and my spirit within is my guide. Fortunately, I was blessed with a good dose of determination and drive...so therefore, it was nothing a but a decision to just "do it", even in the midst of my fears.

You write most of your own lyrics - do you write for anyone else?

I would say that I write a lot of my own lyrics, but for this particular album, I wrote and co-wrote. I like to invite fresh ideas from others that I respect as well. At the moment, I haven't written for anyone else, but it's funny you should ask, because I really want to write for other artists. I have so many styles in my head and it's not always good for me to record them for myself. One day...you may see my name in the credits of other famous artists songs.

What songs do you particularly like?

From my own album..."I Got It Bad" and the interlude "Come Into My World". The reason why is because of the places I wrote them. Mostly driving in the car.(ha,ha) My muse is hard at work when I'm driving.

What's with the Japanese connection - how long have you been there and how do you go down there. Why did you release in Japan. Did you release in the US (mine's a Japanese copy!)

Well...let me see...how do I begin. I've lived in Japan for the past 6 years. I decided to come here with my husband, who works for the government, as a way of experiencing something new. I fell in love with the place and I figured that I would stay longer to explore career opportunities for the future. Remember, I said I wanted to be worldwide. (smile) That's the reason I released in Japan, I thought it would make an impact. I haven't released in the states yet....Keep your eyes and ears open though. My plans are to do just that in the near future.

What about your own recording career - how has this gone and what do you
hope for the future?

My own recording career has had its ups and downs, just like most of us independent artists. The record business is tough, and fortunately, I have other skills such as doing session work and acting. I feel that my album hasn't been promoted in Japan as well as I would have liked, but it's still too soon to tell how it will go 6 months from now. Hopefully, it will gain more and more momentum, and I can go out and promote it the way I would like. As far as the rest of the world, that remains to be seen. I pray that people will like it, and it will blow up in a big way!

Do you have any particular projects at the moment ? What's happening with the album - are you touring at all?

At the moment, I'm still promoting this second album, "Same Old Story". I release a mini-album before here in Japan, and it did pretty well. It was not as broad as this latest one, but it did well in certain places. What I'm concentrating on right now is, moving back to the U.S. after 6 years, and getting re-acquainted with my home country. I will be fast moving in getting my feet planted with all of the opportunities there. I look forward to releasing another album within the next year.

How's it been received in the US.. and internationally

The album has been received well with the people who have purchased it via my website, not to mention here in Japan. They've even emailed me to let me know. The response has been wonderful! I have been trying to hold off just for a moment with promoting it in the U.S. on a large scale, as I have a few options that I am looking into for distribution. Internationally, great! DJs and all kinds of people have been in touch from the U.K., Denmark, Germany, Ireland, and other places. Europe is wonderful! I can't wait to get there!

Have you got any international deals and what are the prospects of a UK visit?

No international deals yet...I am really hoping to accomplish that! I've had some propositions, but nothing solid as of today. I am definitely looking into visiting the U.K., and I mean soon...

Who are your influences both in the past and now

Now that is the million dollar question! I have so many influences and everytime I get asked this question, I just go down my list.(ha,ha) Seriously, a lot of the jazz greats have positively influenced me, such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, and the more contemporary artists are, Chante' Moore, Jill Scott, Eric Benet, and the grandest of them allllllll...Stevie Wonder. I think I could do a whole show with nothing but Stevie songs.(smile)

Any more comments?

One thing I'd like to say is...I have always dreamed of singing or even living in Europe. To have such a positive response from the DJs, fans, and anyone else, makes me feel just like I had imagined it would be. I feel very fortunate to have this experience and to be able to do what I absolutely love to do for a living. Music and art is very spiritual to me and I treasure being able to be on this earth and share it with everyone.

Much love & more music,

Maria Howell

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