The choice of music an artist performs also contribute to that unique style. Mary's Band plays Cha Cha, Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, and Bachata songs that are popular on local radio stations, but which also fit well with their chosen style and vocal ranges. But when I ask Mary which style is her favorite, she doesn't balk at picking Salsa over the others. I suspect Merengue is another favorite. Although I have heard Mary's playlist change over the past couple of years, there are some songs which she continues to share with her audiences.
I asked her which artists she would recommend to a new student of Latin music, and she suggested "Gilberto Santa Rosa" (for Salsa) and "Olga Tanon" (for Merengue).
And yet, Mary sets aside her preferences, including any playlists the band has worked up, in favor of what the audience wants. "I try to feel the crowd first," she says. "They decide how the playlist goes."
Well, not entirely. I have seen Mary share the stage with more than one singing partner. There is always an element of syncronicity in their dual performances. The singers will turn to each other when doing a love song, they will dance together between verses on Salsa or Merengue pieces, they will switch off to give each other's voice a chance to rest. "I have to respect their repetoire," Mary says of her partners. "I try to do songs that I know...are.not...on their list."
Is there a CD in the future for Mary's legion of fans? Hopefully. "We are doing some recording (now)," she confesses. "It takes time and money! But we are doing our best, little by little. We'll have original songs and some covers with original arrangements."
And does she think the day may come when Mary's Band will take on the English pop markets as well as Latin music? "Why not?" she asks. Why not, indeed. English pop music owes a great deal to many other musical styles.
When I pressed Mary for a list of popular shows she would like to appear on, she gave the matter some thought and suggested "Gigante Sabado" and "Cristina" for the Spanish language markets and "Jay Leno" and David Letterman" for the English markets. Producers take note: In this writer's opinion, you cannot go wrong with Mary's Band.
Merchandisers have already discovered Mary. As a spokesperson for Michelob and Budweiser to the Latin music world, she has appeared on posters and standups for years.
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When she isn't entertaining or otherwise working hard, Mary relaxes by working out at the gym or just sitting quietly at home for a day. When I asked her what she would do if she had to give up music, she replied, "I would stay at the public relations or marketing field. I went to school in Venezuela for journalism and social communications. I love everything related with entertainment: TV, radio, publicity. Besides that, would really start thinking [about] having my own family -- kids and a husband."
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