Album Notes

Maritza Forero, a versatile singer/songwriter and musician, of Puerto Rican and Colombian descent, was born and raised in Yonkers, New York. Her exposure to music came at an early age. She was brought up listening to the Spanish love ballads and Salsa music, which her mother played at home. Her grandfather, Caridad Areizaga, who was a guitarist and vocalist in a 1950's Puerto Rico-based group, Serenada de Argentina, was Maritza's true inspiration. At just a few years old, Maritza secretly envisioned herself playing the guitar and singing. She began writing poetry at the age of eleven. In her early teenage years she was introduced to Rock n’ Roll by her stepfather, but it wasn't until she turned sixteen that she began her musical journey as a singer/songwriter. This was when her grandmother bought Maritza her first guitar. One can hear in Maritza’s writing the influences of the Spanish ballads she heard as a child, filled with emotion and passion, as well as the daring freedom of Rock n’ Roll. These sounds set her career as a songwriter in motion. Her style ranges anywhere from Folk, Rock & Roll, Blues with Latin rhythmic influence. Her career began to take shape at Westchester Community College in 1993, where she was part of a Blues ensemble headed by bluesman Jeff Brown (Westchester School of Guitar). This is where she first introduced her music to the public; Maritza's original compositions were used in the ensemble and performed for three consecutive semesters at on-campus events. She always left the audience wanting more. Later, she formed the band Overload, which played throughout Westchester and New York City. In 1998, Maritza was accepted at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College where she majored in Studio Composition for singer/songwriters and recording artists. She graduated in May 2001 with a Bachelors Degree. She is now working on two CDs, entitled "Can't Wait to See You Again" and "The Best Way I Can." Maritza has performed in many musical venues, such as Don't Tell Mama and Bar 169 in New York City, at the Yonkers River Festival along the Hudson River, in 1994 and in 1995, where she opened for Judy Collins, Hall & Oates and many more. The title song of the “Painted World" album was featured in a Soap Opera TV Pilot "Waterfront" on Disney's SOAPNET. Maritza continues her musical journey and hopes to capture many more audiences with her honest, sexy and emotional lyrics and melodies. "What's the point of writing with limitations? I will always sing from heart to those who will listen."