“We should do another record, but let’s make it a visual product,” suggested Charlie Hunter, celebrated guitarist and producer, just months after Maritzaida’s stunning debut albums, Boleros Clásicos Volumen Uno and Volumen Dos. The Puerto Rican vocalist and her husband, AJ Weibe, had only recently returned to music after a five-year hiatus, following a decade-long career as military musicians, including three years in Tokyo. Their comeback was nothing short of extraordinary, capturing hearts and minds with their authentic take on bolero music and their traditional way of recording: live, with one microphone, no edits, overdubs, or studio magic. Building on this momentum, Maritzaida and Weibe released Alma Adentro: La Música de Sylvia Rexach y Tutti Umpierre, a tribute to Puerto Rican icons Sylvia Rexach and Tutti Umpierre. This third album earned Maritzaida recognition from Rexach’s family as a torchbearer of her music. Ready for a new challenge, the duo approached Hunter to ask, “How do we make this record stand apart?” Maritzaida had a clear vision: “I love the sound of a cello.”
Enter Zachary Brown, a New York-based cellist whose deep, resonant tones would transform the project. Balancing demanding day jobs—Weibe as a Communications Director and Maritzaida as a Cooperative Extension Educator and Ph.D. candidate—the couple practiced relentlessly, even while headlining shows like the North Carolina Folk Festival. Under Hunter’s guidance, the group embraced a raw, authentic sound. Recorded live at Echo Mountain Studios, a converted 1920s church in Asheville, NC, the sessions captured the magic of Maritzaida’s vocals, Weibe’s 7-string guitar, and Brown’s cello. Veteran engineer Ethan Gingerich meticulously placed the trio around a single microphone to preserve every nuance of their performance. A video crew documented the intimate recording of five bolero classics.
But when Hunter called Weibe days later, he had only one regret: “We should’ve done five more to make it a full album.” Months later, the group reconvened at Earthtones Studio in Greensboro, NC, after Hurricane Helene made Asheville inaccessible. Rain softly pattering on the roof became a poignant backdrop, adding an organic touch to tracks like “Silencio.” The result is Sentimientos En Vivo, set for release in April, a live album steeped in emotion and artistry. To build excitement for the album, a new single and accompanying video are being released bi-weekly, showcasing the record’s visual and musical storytelling. Two songs and videos are already available: “Arenas del Desierto,” which highlights Brown’s cello brilliance, and “Noche de Ronda,” a powerful homage to iconic vocalist Chavela Vargas.
Maritzaida’s stunning low-range vocals blend effortlessly with Brown’s cello and Weibe’s guitar, evoking the timeless essence of 1950s bolero while offering something fresh and innovative. From the creaky church floors to the sound of rain, every element adds to the album’s living, breathing quality. The record includes rare compositions by Sylvia Rexach and Tutti Umpierre (“Y Entonces,” “Senda de Flores,” and “Yo Era Una Flor”), brought to life with the guidance of Rexach’s daughter, famed actress and singer Sharon Riley Rexach. Other highlights include a heartfelt rendition of “Nosotros,” a fresh take on “La Nave del Olvido,” and the group’s emotional interpretation of “Silencio.”
Sentimientos En Vivo is being released under SideHustle Records, a sublabel of The Orchard, owned and operated by Charlie and Tahi Hunter. SideHustle Records provides digital distribution and support for artists like Maritzaida, Bobby Previte, Sam Fribush, Terence Clark, Corey Fonville, and more. The label is known for championing innovative and genre-defying projects, offering a platform for unique voices like Maritzaida to shine.
For more information, interviews, or press materials, contact info@maritzaida.com.
