Spanish-American singer, songwriter, and producer Frank Maza brings his Madrid and Boston roots together on Back Then, an album that pairs American songwriting traditions with Cuban rhythm, jazz, and flamenco. In November, Maza will take the project to several cities and venues, with producer and flamenco guitarist Javier Limón as part of the live presentation.
The album features Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés, singer Daymé Arocena and pianist Iván “Melón” Lewis. Its core ensemble also includes bassist Reinier Elizarde “El Negrón,” percussionist Yuri Nogueira and Limón on guitar.
At the center of Back Then is Maza’s relationship with musical heritage. He grew up in an environment connected to figures such as Bebo Valdés and Paco de Lucía.
Maza spent his formative years between Madrid and Boston. Madrid exposed him to flamenco and Latin music, while Boston introduced him to American singer-songwriters, jazz, and gospel.
His formal education followed a similar path. Maza studied at Escuela de Música Creativa in Madrid from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2015. Between those periods, he attended New England Conservatory in Boston from 2011 to 2013. He later earned degrees in contemporary writing and production and piano performance from Berklee College of Music, where he studied from 2020 to 2024 and graduated cum laude.
Before Back Then, Maza released his debut album, SOLID, in 2019 through Casa Limón/The Orchard. His self-titled 2022 album took a different approach, with electronic production and modern studio techniques alongside elements of flamenco, Latin music and American song structure. Tracks such as “Self Addiction” and “A Devil’s Love” reflected that electronic direction.
Maza has also worked with artists and musicians such as Alejandro Sanz, Kiki Morente, Nella, Carmen Linares and Juan Luis Guerra, as well as filmmaker Asghar Farhadi. His live credits include appearances with Mariza, Ainhoa Arteta, Mala Rodríguez, Pitingo and Arcángel.
His stated influences range from Joaquín Sabina and Joan Manuel Serrat to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Frank Sinatra, alongside Paco de Lucía, Bebo Valdés and Nat King Cole.
Tour dates and tickets at https://www.frankmaza.com/tour
Author: World Music Central News Room
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