Ana Carla Maza: The Soul and Energy of Latin Music

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The Backstory

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Powerhouse cellist, vocalist, and dancer Ana Carla Maza embarks on her highly anticipated Caribe World Tour, marking her U.S. debut with a genre-blending spectacle of Afro-Cuban, salsa, mambo, cumbia, pop, rock, reggae, and classical music.

Born in the mid-'90s in Buena Vista era Havana, and raised in the musical (and spiritual) neighborhood of Guanabacoa, Ana Carla was immersed in Latin rhythms, jazz, and classical music from an early age. She began singing in her mother’s choir at the age of three and playing the piano at home, where numerous instruments and pianos filled her musician family’s house, deeply inspiring her. Surrounded by a creative musical environment, she explored the instruments around her and started composing her first pieces at the age of five. Growing up in this rich musical atmosphere, she naturally began creating her own melodies and lyrics.

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Later, she was guided by Miriam Valdés (sister of jazz legend Chucho Valdés) and, at the age of seven, discovered her passion for the cello at a small cello school in Guanabacoa, which still exists today. She was also influenced and supported by her family of musicians, who continued to nurture her artistic development—her father, Chilean pianist and composer Carlos Maza; her mother, Mirza Sierra, a Cuban guitarist; and her sister, Camila Maza, a violinist.

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At the age of four, Ana Carla visited and recorded at Abdala Studios, part of the legendary EGREM label. "I have memories of being in the studio with my father—I was so small they had to put me on a stool to reach the microphone!" she recalls. “These studios have hosted Cuban icons like Buena Vista Social Club, Omara Portuondo, and Cesária Évora—being part of that environment was a dream.”

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One of the most personal tracks on her new album, Caribe Deluxe (out April 11th), is Guanabacoa, named after the Havana neighborhood where Ana Carla holds some of her fondest memories. "Guanabacoa is where I started playing the cello. It’s a place full of Afro-Cuban ceremonies, rumba, and music," she says. "My grandmother’s neighborhood was always alive with music and it was magical to find a cello school in such a vibrant popular place."

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Later, as a teenager, Ana Carla moved to Spain and then to Paris to pursue music, where she broadened her musical horizons, collaborating with a diverse range of artists from jazz, blues and funk to reggae and rock.

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Fast forward a few years, following the success of two solo and acoustically focused albums, La Flor (2020) and Bahía (2022), Ana Carla’s 2023 release, Caribe, was a tribute to Caribbean culture, deeply rooted in her love for Cuba and the rich musical upbringing she experienced there. Now, the journey continues with the upcoming and revamped album, Caribe Deluxe — a joyful, energetic, and heartfelt extension of its predecessor. The Caribe Deluxe recordings serve as a personal reflection of Ana Carla’s growth over the past year. “My life has changed a lot. I’ve faced difficult moments, but I found strength and hope through music. I wanted to re-record these songs with the voice of the Ana Carla I am today—a resilient woman who honors her roots,” she shares. 

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Five of the tracks feature brand-new vocal recordings by Ana Carla, along with fresh brass arrangements, new mixes, electronic-infused remixes, and mastering further amplifying the album’s groove and energy.

The first track Diana, sung in Spanish and French, is a powerful anthem of resilience dripping with an '80s Latin funk vibe,
released March 7th."Diana is a story of overcoming challenges, believing in yourself, and moving forward with strength. It's the story of all of us," says Ana Carla. The title track Caribe is another single and highlight, a Spanish-sung number rooted in Cuban salsa mixed with Cuban son.

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With over 400 + live dates (and counting) performed across the world, and having garnered support from national radio across Europe, with critics from leading publications from across the world of jazz and contemporary music, Ana Carla’s US tour marks a must-see moment for Latin, jazz and global music fans.

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Ana Carla is thrilled to connect with like-minded audiences. "The Latin community here feels like family—I can’t wait to share my music with them. Every concert is a chance for me to give everything I’ve got, and I want the audience to feel that energy.” However, her performances are not limited to just one genre or one generation of fans. "This project is for all ages and nationalities. No matter where I go, I always find a home".

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Ana Carla Maza’s reimagination of the Latin American songbook, with her signature cello and vocal stylings, has given rise to a must-see, breakthrough talent, and still in her twenties, the future looks as positive as her raucous and smiling stage performances.

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