"An impressive stateside debut. An album of swingin’ fun, scatting bouts and even funk and R&B spirit, Lareo pulls off a flawless performance of memorable and romantic song craft.”

Tom Haugen, TAKE EFFECT

“Her jazz phrasing carries the depth of vocal greats like Sarah Vaughan, while her Brazilian influences shine in tracks like “Depois De Tanto Tempo,” where the lilting rhythm and Portuguese lyrics bring warmth and intimacy to the album. Puga Lareo’s pop sensibility emerges in the accessible melodies of “Till The End of the World,” where her vocal line feels emotive and effortless, allowing her voice to take on a contemporary quality that draws today’s listener in."

Rudy Palma, ALL ABOUT VOCALS

"Puga Lareo’s ability to infuse each song with technical precision and heartfelt expressiveness.  Throughout My Universe, Maria Puga Lareo delivers a vocal style that is as diverse as it is cohesive. Her ability to navigate jazz, Brazilian, and R&B influences with authenticity and grace reflects her artistry. Sheppard’s co-production, masterful musicianship, and Schwartz’s exquisite orchestral touch, elevate this release into something truly special. Romantic, expressive, and deeply immersive, My Universe is an album that will reward your attention.”

Stamish Malcuss, JAZZSENSIBILITIES

It reveals a singer who understands the balance between technique and emotion, between polish and risk. It’s an album that moves fluidly between traditions while remaining personal and grounded. The blend of jazz with Brazilian and popular elements without losing identity or depth makes My Universe open to all who wish to enter. "

Steph Cosme, STACCATOFY

“A treasure for vocal Jazz connoisseurs, highly recommended”
James A Cox, MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“Puga Lareo’s emphasis on authenticity and personal expression shines through in the album’s diverse song selection. She embraces different genres and moods, which reflect her multifaceted personality and refusal to be confined to a single musical box. My Universe is a project that highlights Maria Puga Lareo’s vocal style, compositional sophistication, and genuine love for cross-cultural musical storytelling. The performances are top-tier, with Bob Sheppard’s deft touch evident in his arranging, production, and musicianship. My Universe is an album filled with grace, depth, and joy that speaks to the power of music as a universal energy.”

Sylvannia Garutch, THE JAZZ WORD

"Argentinian jazz singer Maria Puga Lareo has the sort of voice that will make your heart beat out of your chest like Pepé Le Pew when he sees a painted cat. Ideally suited to musicals and jazz theaters, her voice simply soars."
MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE

"This gloriously sumptuous new recording, opens on the languishing beauty of Make Someone Happy and the free flowing The Song Is You, and after a quick, minute-long intro, the whole, atmospherically low slung track Depois de Tanto Tempo is brought forth, and is backed by the delicately-hued Spring.
Along next is the all-embracing Till the End of the World and that is in turn followed by the spirited Cherokee, a dutifully inhabited, horn-imbibed We’ll Be Together Again, the album rounding out on the soulful R&B jazz of At the End of the Night, closing on the delicate Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar."

Anne Carlini, RUSSELL TRUNK’S EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE

"This album is Maria Puga Lareo’s first stateside debut. She is an accomplished jazz and Brazilian music vocalist, songwriter, producer who has released three albums. Co-produced by her husband and legendary woodwind player, Bob Sheppard, they make a formidable music statement. The addition of a stunning orchestra to this production brings beauty and class to her first American album release. Lareo sings with ease in both Portuguese and English, sharing compositions by legendary Brazilian composers like Dori Caymmi and Antonio Carlos Jobim. She also tackles jazz standards, including Ray Noble’s “Cherokee.”
Dee Dee McNeil, MAKING A SCENE! MAGAZINE

"Sensitive understatements are delivered by the crystal toned vocalist Maria Puga Lareo on this seductively framed mix of standards and Brasilia. She’s backed by a large and romantic ensemble that includes the likes of Bob Sheppard/wwinds, Josh Nelson/p-key, Alex Acuna/perc, Christian Euman/dr, Mike Valerio/b and Leo Amuedo/g along with an orchestra conducted by Nan Schwartz. Her delicate vibrato draws you into pieces like “Make Someone Happy” and the lithe “The Song Is You”, while she shows her funky side around Valerios’ electric bass and Sheppard’s tenor on “At The End Of The Night”. She wafts through the strings of “Depois De Tanto Tempo” and looks good in Amuedo’s nylon strings for “Spring” , saving the best for last on an intimate duet with Nelson on a lovely “Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar”. Late night candles r."

George Harris, JAZZ WEEKLY

“Maria Puga Lareo offered up glowing-tone renditions of “Alfie,” Jobim’s “I Know I’ll Love You,” and the handsome Sheppard original “Maria’s Tango.”

Josef Woodard, SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT
Live review of Bob Sheppard Quartet feat Maria Puga Lareo, Jazz at Center Stage Santa Barbara, CA - Fri Apr 26, 2024