Maria Rylander - Facing South (2011)

Maria was born and raised in Öland, a beautiful island located by the South Eastern coast of Sweden. Always surrounded by music, with two musically active parents, Maria absorbed all kind of musical influences. Once she entered her high school studies in Oskarshamn, a near mainland city, Maria could develop her musical talent even further. She moved to Malmö and worked in a jazz club. During that period Maria realised that she wanted to persue her dreams and become a professional singer.

Maria went for a Jazz course at Birka Folkhögskola in Östersund and later, a music teachers degree from The Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg. The university studies included six inspiring months of jazz studies at Conservatoir National Superiour in Paris. Marias strong dedication to compose her own music brought her to Japan in 2010, where she toured with Yasuhito Moris cooperation Scandinavian Connection.

Back in Sweden Maria started to record on her first album along with musicians from five different countries. The CD launch is set to the 15th of June this year and will be released on Marias own record label MaRy Music.