Sorry, I cannot display the flash slideshow for one
of the following reasons.
1. Your browser does not support Javascript.
2. If you are using RapidWeaver, please make sure your theme is using the most up-to-date version of the javascript include file.
1. Your browser does not support Javascript.
2. If you are using RapidWeaver, please make sure your theme is using the most up-to-date version of the javascript include file.
María Nahíma (artistic name for María del Carmen
Odría-Jiménez) was born in Lima, Peru as the
inevitable convergence of the talents of her mother,
Carmita Jiménez, a famous Puerto Rican diva and
her father,
David Odría, a renowned Peruvian producer and
radio & TV host.
A precocious artist, at the young age of six, María commenced her career by performing as a “guest artist” in her mom’s concerts and television presentations in Puerto Rico and abroad.
She initiated formal vocal lessons at fourteen and started writing “openings”, directing her mom’s backup singers, and translating songs from English and Italian into Spanish for other well known artists.
In 1987, María graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages with a minor in Drama from University of Puerto Rico. As a professional actress, María has performed Shakespeare ("The Taming of the Shrew"), popular-folk pieces ("Esperando la Guagua"), musicals ("West Side Story", "Little Shop of Horrors", "The Fantastiks") as well as done guest appareances on TV sit-coms, all of which have given her artistic prominence and garnered positive critical reviews.
During those early years, María became familiar with television and radio production while collaborating with an important international advertising agency. She enjoyed copywriting but decided to follow her mother’s advice: to learn more about behind-the-scene production. And so she went on to explore editing, the creative use of footage, development of advertising campaigns for press, radio and TV, work team coordination, and, the best part, putting to work fellow actors and working in voiceovers and jingles.
After finishing a Master's in Italian Language from Middlebury College in Vermont, María moved to Florence, Italy. It took her long to realize how hard it would be to deal with the disadavantages of anonymity and restarting a musical career from zero. She began competing successfully in local song festivals winning many prizes while searching for her next opportunity. She was hired as background vocalist on various albums and then became the lead singer of a couple of music bands (from pop and r&b to Italian popular music) as well as one of the main soloists of The Jubilee Shouters, a renowned Tuscan Godspell- Jazz -Blues ensemble.
At the end of the 90's Maria had already registered two disco music singles, three CD's of cover versions of Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and two World Music CD's ("Celtics", "Maya, Inca, Azteca" including lyrics). At the same time Maria reencountered talented composer Goffredo Orlandi, a long lost friend who asked her to write the Spanish lyrics for the upcoming album of latin artist Mario Ortiz (Sony Music). The song "Bésame" was selected as the musical theme of the Spanish film ""Alas Rotas"" (released in 2002).
In the beginning of 2000 María started working with Beppe Dati, one of the most prolific and renowned composers of the Italian panorama and wrote some English songs for the beautiful voice of Polish artist Gosia Andrzejewicz. María still collaborates in translating and singing in both English and Spanish, Dati's songs for local benefits.
From 2000 to 2003 María worked with less frequency in music, as she had to travel to Puerto Rico a lot in order to visit her mom who was heroically waging a battle with cancer. Carmita passed away leaving an incredible artistic legacy to her beloved Island. A geographical sector near her hometown and an important theater are named after her.
In 2004 María called Goffredo Orlandi (a fresh 1st winner from Sanremo Song Festival) to work on the artistic production of the album "Tu Fan" for the famous Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Wilkins. Nine of the thirteen songs of the album are of her inspiration including the romantic duet "Cuando quieras tú" in which she sings with the latin divo. The album was acclaimed as the third best of 2005 of latin productions, well above many others of the prominent latin music industry. In the meantime, Gosia Andrzejewicz, already a star in Poland, asked Maria to write in English her smashing hit "Slowa" ("Words") which won her a gold record in her country. Legendary Italian producer Alessandro Colombini, chose "Tanto, Tanto Amor" (Orlandi-Odría) as the new single of Silvia Mezzanotte, former lead voice of the Italian historical music band Mattia Bazaar. The song was recorded in Spanish and Italian and was also included in Silvia's new album ""Il Viaggio".
At the end of 2006 Maria signed with Dati, "Io e Lei" for Italian singer Lighea and in November, Wilkins' new album "Disco de Oro", included Maria's touching song "Te extraño" - ("I Miss You") already present in "Tu Fan" and second single of "Disco de Oro". Because of its particular thematic, the song became a radio success and its already considered a classic.
2008 has begun with various new songs for international artists. Two long-awaited productions: young latin idols MDO, album "Sabe a Ti" and Bea Bronchal's "Kilómetro 0" which includes "Magia Sobrenatural" (both from Orlandi-Odría). Italian pop-lyric trio "Appassionante" have recorded "Apasionante" (Orlandi-Buffat-Odría)and Latin Grammy-nominees Negroni's Trio have honored Maria in inviting her to write and perform "En Silencio".
New songs will be out in newest, Janina's album and more...
Maria is frequently in recording studio registering background vocals, as well as writing new songs and developing musical ideas and projects. Her experience in acting, singing, producing and writing (in three languages!), as well as her warm soulful voice makes of her a very versatile interpreter.
A precocious artist, at the young age of six, María commenced her career by performing as a “guest artist” in her mom’s concerts and television presentations in Puerto Rico and abroad.
She initiated formal vocal lessons at fourteen and started writing “openings”, directing her mom’s backup singers, and translating songs from English and Italian into Spanish for other well known artists.
In 1987, María graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages with a minor in Drama from University of Puerto Rico. As a professional actress, María has performed Shakespeare ("The Taming of the Shrew"), popular-folk pieces ("Esperando la Guagua"), musicals ("West Side Story", "Little Shop of Horrors", "The Fantastiks") as well as done guest appareances on TV sit-coms, all of which have given her artistic prominence and garnered positive critical reviews.
During those early years, María became familiar with television and radio production while collaborating with an important international advertising agency. She enjoyed copywriting but decided to follow her mother’s advice: to learn more about behind-the-scene production. And so she went on to explore editing, the creative use of footage, development of advertising campaigns for press, radio and TV, work team coordination, and, the best part, putting to work fellow actors and working in voiceovers and jingles.
After finishing a Master's in Italian Language from Middlebury College in Vermont, María moved to Florence, Italy. It took her long to realize how hard it would be to deal with the disadavantages of anonymity and restarting a musical career from zero. She began competing successfully in local song festivals winning many prizes while searching for her next opportunity. She was hired as background vocalist on various albums and then became the lead singer of a couple of music bands (from pop and r&b to Italian popular music) as well as one of the main soloists of The Jubilee Shouters, a renowned Tuscan Godspell- Jazz -Blues ensemble.
At the end of the 90's Maria had already registered two disco music singles, three CD's of cover versions of Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and two World Music CD's ("Celtics", "Maya, Inca, Azteca" including lyrics). At the same time Maria reencountered talented composer Goffredo Orlandi, a long lost friend who asked her to write the Spanish lyrics for the upcoming album of latin artist Mario Ortiz (Sony Music). The song "Bésame" was selected as the musical theme of the Spanish film ""Alas Rotas"" (released in 2002).
In the beginning of 2000 María started working with Beppe Dati, one of the most prolific and renowned composers of the Italian panorama and wrote some English songs for the beautiful voice of Polish artist Gosia Andrzejewicz. María still collaborates in translating and singing in both English and Spanish, Dati's songs for local benefits.
From 2000 to 2003 María worked with less frequency in music, as she had to travel to Puerto Rico a lot in order to visit her mom who was heroically waging a battle with cancer. Carmita passed away leaving an incredible artistic legacy to her beloved Island. A geographical sector near her hometown and an important theater are named after her.
In 2004 María called Goffredo Orlandi (a fresh 1st winner from Sanremo Song Festival) to work on the artistic production of the album "Tu Fan" for the famous Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Wilkins. Nine of the thirteen songs of the album are of her inspiration including the romantic duet "Cuando quieras tú" in which she sings with the latin divo. The album was acclaimed as the third best of 2005 of latin productions, well above many others of the prominent latin music industry. In the meantime, Gosia Andrzejewicz, already a star in Poland, asked Maria to write in English her smashing hit "Slowa" ("Words") which won her a gold record in her country. Legendary Italian producer Alessandro Colombini, chose "Tanto, Tanto Amor" (Orlandi-Odría) as the new single of Silvia Mezzanotte, former lead voice of the Italian historical music band Mattia Bazaar. The song was recorded in Spanish and Italian and was also included in Silvia's new album ""Il Viaggio".
At the end of 2006 Maria signed with Dati, "Io e Lei" for Italian singer Lighea and in November, Wilkins' new album "Disco de Oro", included Maria's touching song "Te extraño" - ("I Miss You") already present in "Tu Fan" and second single of "Disco de Oro". Because of its particular thematic, the song became a radio success and its already considered a classic.
2008 has begun with various new songs for international artists. Two long-awaited productions: young latin idols MDO, album "Sabe a Ti" and Bea Bronchal's "Kilómetro 0" which includes "Magia Sobrenatural" (both from Orlandi-Odría). Italian pop-lyric trio "Appassionante" have recorded "Apasionante" (Orlandi-Buffat-Odría)and Latin Grammy-nominees Negroni's Trio have honored Maria in inviting her to write and perform "En Silencio".
New songs will be out in newest, Janina's album and more...
Maria is frequently in recording studio registering background vocals, as well as writing new songs and developing musical ideas and projects. Her experience in acting, singing, producing and writing (in three languages!), as well as her warm soulful voice makes of her a very versatile interpreter.
