ArinMaya

A poet and singer from the start, ArinMaya has a presence that suggests a juxtaposition of joy—her style is intimate and unique and her voice is like honey…in the raw. When asked what kind of music she sings, she answers, “I don’t know…jazz, soul, R&B, nu-soul, neo-soul, electrobeat…” and then she stops, looks up and says, “I sing music.” This candid, fearless, yet graceful truth-telling is what makes ArinMaya the artist we’ve all been waiting for. And her ability to move notes like mountains is only part of her charm.

Hailing from Chicago, ArinMaya earned her training wheels between church and her parents’ record collection, which included Paul Simon’s Graceland album, every album released by Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Des’ree’s I Ain’t Movin’, not to mention Pharoah Saunders and Stevie Wonder’s entire discographies and many others whose talents are as endless and diverse as her own growing music collection. An alumni of Howard University and Stanford University, Arin had the pleasure of performing with the Howard Gospel Choir and Everyday People A Cappella, respectively—both unbelievable and unforgettable experiences. She was also given the honor of serving as song leader for her beloved sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and still enjoys returning to the Delta plot on Howard’s campus to circle up and “call [her] sorors to the floor!”

At 27, ArinMaya is a cool stage presence with a rich and genuine sound that leaves her audiences open and ready for more. She calls out names of some of her influences, doting, “I wanna forget words so I can scat like Ella [Fitzgerald]…maintain my Nina [Simone] funk with that ‘this is who I am’ attitude…Bobby McFerrin—the freedom and color and space he creates in everything he does…and Amel Larrieux! Her songwriting is so amazing, it’s ridiculous.” Take these greats, blend them together, and add a killer smile, and there you will find ArinMaya.

Of her gift, Arin speaks with a humble yet confident consciousness, “I’m always glad when someone really likes it [when I sing], but I have SO far to go!” But she’s already spread her wings, from Cotton Club Berlin to Le Blue Note in Paris’ historic Montmatre district to Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar in New York City. ArinMaya has also played Village Underground, Lenox Lounge, and Le Poisson Rouge. Residing in Brooklyn, NY, she’s made herself at home, performing residencies at the Senegalese mainstay, Joloff Restaurant in Clinton Hill, and Pâtes & Traditions, a cozy French cottage-style restaurant. Often accompanied by the acoustic genius of Vermont-born guitarist and crooner, Nick Cassarino, ArinMaya seems to know how to find her peace of mind. “Nick has a surprising appreciation for the standards, which I adore…we have fun, and there’s this synergy between us so people think we’re married. It works.”

If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing her live in New York, do. You’ll be glad you did…and then you’ll find a way to catch her live! Her upcoming EP, The Sound of ArinMaya, contains both original songs and adaptations and displays her unique style of poetry turned song, as well as her influences and range of emotion, grace and skill. Listen for ArinMaya on spoken-word artist Shareef Ali’s CD, Walking on Atoms, released in July 2009, and on the European release of Blitz the Ambassador’s Stereotype, released in September 2009. Always smooth and always intentional, ArinMaya is creating a sound with her bold, textured voice, insightful lyrics and diverse range of influences, that will welcome, hold and heal you each and every time.