"Helping my students find their own voice is my goal. It is exciting and inspiring to be with people who are developing and discovering new skills and talents. And we laugh a lot!"
Maye Cavallaro teaches Voice for the UC Jazz Vocal Ensemble
Maye Cavallaro is a warm, charismatic stage performer and accomplished musician. Maye has traveled extensively in Japan and the U.S., both performing and teaching.
She has appeared in the San Francisco Bay Area extensively at clubs such as Yoshi's, The Great American Music Hall, The Plush Room, Sweetwater and Kimball's, among others. For 5 years Maye performed weekly at the Compass Rose in the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco with her trio.
She's appeared in New York City at Eighty-Eights and in the Cabaret Convention at Town Hall.
Maye is on the faculty of the innovative Jazzschool in Berkeley, CA., teaching stagecraft and jazz singing. Maye's first CD on Redhead Records, "In the Middle of a Kiss" was chosen by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the top ten jazz records of 1995.
We lost the Voices Classes during our latest Cut-backs. We are looking for a corporate sponsor to bring this class back. Thank you for your interest. Please get in touch with Brad Brennan - Executive Director of Student Activities Programs.
In the News
"The Standout at New York's cabaret convention." Town & Country Magazine
Maye Cavallaro has a haunting voice, is expert at caressing ballads, and displays a wistful and subtle style. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Cavallaro's easy elegance and burnished vocal beauty, luxurious as purple velvet, suggest a more robust Diana Krall. Fox, alternating among three acoustic guitars, two electrics and one nylon-string, echoes the magnificence of Les Paul. Like Paul, she knows how to blend seamlessly with a singer. She is the cool yin to Cavallaro's warm yang-two dynamic halves of a greater whole. Listening to their downy "Daydream," percolated "I'm Beginning To See The Light," boldly expansive rendering of Paul Simon's "Under African Skies," and sensual, Latin-accented interpretation of Jesse Neal Barish's tender title track is to experience teamwork at its most magical. Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes
She knows how to take an old standard and bring out all of the hidden beauty....She crafts dramatic presentations and then takes you into the heart of the music. Robert Tate, JazzNow
..an exuberant sexy voice that wears well, with subtle jazz embellishments. A confident, supple singer whose easy, pleasing style invites a second visit. Gerald Nachman, San Francisco Chronicle
...a sultry contralto loaded with inflections reminiscent of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Mahalia Jackson-yet very much her own...one of our very best singers. Philip Elwood, San Francisco Examiner
Maye Cavallaro sparkles like the best cut diamond-many faceted and well worth showing off. This lady should be experienced live. And because seeing her in person is not possible for most of us, this is the next best thing. This is a full package, one that many music lovers would enjoy, whether you like jazz, ballads, blues or just calming, soothing melodies, you'll be delighted with your purchase of this CD. Tammy Childs, Cyber.city CD Reviews
There is a rich, melting tone at the center of Maye's voice that lends itself beautifully to her slow savoring of each note and every word....Her warm contralto lulls you and draws you in from the first song.... She owns every word and you believe that she knows what she's singing about. Elaine Lucia Bay, Jazz CD reviews
UC Jazz Vocalist, Rosette Diaz