February 2007 — T.H.E. Audio, the prestigious maker of specialty microphones for Enya, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Skywalker Sound, named Argentine tango vocalist María Volonté as the company’s “World Endorsement Artist” for 2007, extending the relationship between the artist and the manufacturer that began in 2006.

Taylor Johnson, CEO of T.H.E. Audio (www.theaudio.com) said, “We are thrilled that this past year has been so successful for both T.H.E. and Maria. We look forward to working with her on tours, recordings and video projects in 2007 that will help solidify our presence and hers in the international marketplace. María Volonté continues to represent the look, feel and ‘class’ of our products with a style and grace commensurate with her tremendous talent.”

The agreement between María and T.H.E. Audio continues the publication of ads featuring María throughout 2007 in leading music industry magazines such as “Jazz Times,” “Pro Sound News,” “EQ” and “Mix”; the provision of microphones for Maria’s concerts and recordings; and support for Maria’s touring and recording projects.

The celebrated Argentine tango vocalist María Volonté is a winner of the Gardel Prize and a Latin Grammy nominee. On stage, her expressive voice, together with the intense sensuality of her performance, create an artistic experience that has fascinated critics and audiences around the world. Her latest album, “Yo soy Maria” fuses the classics of tango with jazz and bossa nova.

T.H.E. Audio, with headquarters in Woodstock, Connecticut, designs and builds sophisticated studio and performance microphones that are considered among the best in the industry. T.H.E. Audio’s hand-made microphones are used by Enya, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), cellist David Darling, Walter Becker (Steely Dan), pianists Mike Garson, John Hicks and Arturo O’Farrill and by Skywalker Sound for use in movies.

Maria with Serbian producer Sasa Dragic outside Dom Sindikata

Following concerts in Zurich and Vienna, María Volonté gave a concert at Belgrade’s prestigious Dom Sindikata theater before 1000 people who gave her a standing ovation.

In the three cities, Volonté fascinated European audiences with her unique approach to the music of Argentina and her passionate stage presence.

Most of her repertory was drawn from her new CD “Yo soy María” in which she fuses the classic songs of tango with jazz and bossanova. The celebrated Gypsy trumpet player Ekrem Sajdic was guest artist and accompanied María on “Nostalgias.”

In addition to the material from her new CD, Maria also performed songs that have become an inseparable part of her musical life: “La Pomeña” (an Argentine zamba, “Macorina” (composed by Chavela Vargas) y “La Flor de la Canela” (composed by Chabuca Granda) in an exquisite version with her voice joined only by the notes of an upright bass.

She also performed several new songs, including two candombes that María composed with Javier Malosetti and Daniel Maza.

On this tour organized by INTREPID PATROL artist management of Beverly Hills, California, María was joined by Argentine musicians Oscar Giunta (piano), Pedro Giraudo (upright bass), Fabián Miodownik (drums and percussion) and Rubén Slonimsky (bandoneon).

In addition to the Dom Sindikata theater, María performed in the Widder Bar in Zurich and at Reigen Live in Vienna, two prestigious jazz clubs.

Elvis Costello and Maria Volonte


Elvis Costello, in Buenos Aires for a concert, attended one of María’s celebrated performances at the historic Cafe Tortoni, then invited Maria to join him for his show at the Pepsi Music Festival.

Maria and John Handy

Renowned saxophonist John Handy was driving his car when he heard Maria sing for the first time during a radio interview. Though Handy admits he is extremely hard to please when it comes to vocalists, he recalls that he said to himself, “Now that’s a singer I’ve got to hear.” That evening, Handy was in the audience at Maria’s San Francisco debut at Jazz at Pearl’s.

In San Francisco with Buca Necak, Larry Vuckovich, John Santos (behind), Maria and Orestes Vilato.

In an interview, veteran bebop pianist Larry Vuckovich gave Volonté a jazzman’s highest praise, comparing the experience to performing with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie: “If you were playing bebop and Bird or Diz sat in, you felt that authenticity,” Vuckovich said.

“When Maria started singing those Latin American songs, it’s like you’re playing with somebody of that level, somebody interpreting those songs, and this is the way it’s supposed sound. We immediately knew, man, we’re in the presence of a real heavy singer; everybody knew right away there was something different going on.”