Hello everyone, it’s your host Faithfulness, and today I have with me Maria Solena from Vancouver, Canada. Maria Solena is here to share more light about her musical career while diving into her latest single, “Happy Hour With You,” released on April 24, 2026. Arriving during Jazz Appreciation Month and just days before International Jazz Day on April 30, the song carries a timely message about slowing down and reconnecting in a fast paced world. Through warm jazz melodies and thoughtful storytelling, “Happy Hour With You” invites listeners to step away from daily pressures and embrace the beauty of genuine human connection. As the world celebrates jazz and its enduring legacy of bringing people together, what inspired Maria Solena to create this intimate musical escape? What does “happy hour” truly mean through her unique artistic lens? Let’s find out.
Welcome, Maria Solena. Before we begin our interview, here is what you need to know about this talented artist. Maria Solena is an internationally celebrated jazz vocalist, recording artist, composer, and bandleader known for her warm, intimate sound and captivating storytelling. Blending swinging standards, Brazilian influences, French chansons, and original compositions, she bridges classic jazz traditions with a contemporary sensibility that feels both timeless and refreshing. With four acclaimed albums, “Where or When,” “Smile,” “As Time Goes By,” and “Yesterday and Tomorrow,” she has earned a reputation for creating music that not only entertains but also heals. A graduate of The University of British Columbia, Solena has collaborated with international jazz greats and performed across Italy, Las Vegas, Denver, and California, drawing inspiration from legends such as Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson, and Antônio Carlos Jobim.
“Happy Hour With You” reflects everything that has made Maria Solena’s artistry so beloved. Set during an unhurried three o’clock afternoon, the song unfolds like a scene bathed in warm light, where a glass of merlot, soft jazz melodies, and meaningful conversation gently push the outside world away. Inspired by the historical roots of happy hour as a communal social tradition, Solena reimagines the concept through a modern jazz lens, transforming it from an escape into a celebration of presence, connection, and gratitude. Anchored by the memorable line, “Three o’clock is kind, so leave your cares behind,” the single serves as both an invitation and a philosophy. Rooted in the unifying spirit of jazz and released during a month dedicated to honoring its cultural significance, “Happy Hour With You” is a timely reminder that sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is simply slow down and savor the moment.
Having this brief Introduction, I’m sure new and current fans must be excited about our Interview today.
INTERVIEW
Faithfulness: Growing up around the rich artistic culture of Vancouver, what were some of the earliest musical experiences that made you fall deeply in love with jazz?
MS: My deep love for jazz was shaped by the world I grew up in. From an early age, I was immersed in the rich sounds of legends like Nat “King” Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, whose voices floated through our home by way of my father’s cherished records and the crackling warmth of the radio. Old movies added yet another layer, painting vivid pictures of an era where jazz was the heartbeat of culture.
These early inspirations didn’t just introduce me to a genre; they gave me a lifelong passion that runs through everything I do.
Faithfulness: Your music beautifully blends swinging standards, Brazilian influences, French chansons, and contemporary jazz textures. How did you develop such a globally inspired artistic identity while still sounding unmistakably like yourself?
MS: Beyond the jazz standards that first captured my heart, my musical curiosity led me to explore the vibrant sounds of Brazil — the cool, gentle sway of bossa nova and the infectious rhythms of samba spoke to me in a way that felt both fresh and deeply soulful. French music, too, found its way into my world, and through the study of the French language in university. These rich and diverse influences — from the smoky jazz clubs of America to the sun-drenched melodies of Rio and the romantic streets of Paris — wove themselves together in my musical journey. Over time, I embraced all of these sounds and made them my own.
Faithfulness: Critics often describe your music as healing and emotionally restorative. At what point in your journey did you realize you wanted your artistry to offer comfort as much as entertainment?
MS: Intuitively, a song has the power to reach into a person’s soul and lift you up. I never saw entertainment and healing as two separate things; they have always been one and the same to me.
When I perform, my greatest joy is watching people light up, feeling their spirits rise and their burdens lighten, even if just for a moment. Music, to me, is more than an art form — it is a healing balm for the soul and the mind, a gift that comforts, restores, and reminds us all that we are never truly alone in what we feel.
Faithfulness: You’ve performed across places like Italy, Las Vegas, Denver, and California while collaborating with respected jazz musicians internationally. How have those experiences shaped your understanding of jazz as a universal language?
MS: My journey as a performer began in the most organic way — with my music finding its way onto radio airwaves in New York, Denver, and California. It was in Denver that a pivotal moment changed everything, when a jazz radio host discovered my music and reached out. From that connection, a meaningful friendship was born, and my travels to Denver opened doors I never anticipated. Those opportunities cascaded into something truly remarkable — performances on a big stage in Denver led to stages in Italy, Las Vegas, and California, each experience deepening my understanding of just how boundless jazz truly is.
Faithfulness: Artists like Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson, and Antônio Carlos Jobim have clearly influenced your artistry. Beyond the music itself, what qualities in those legends continue to inspire the way you approach storytelling and performance today?
MS: The artists who have shaped me most — Nat “King” Cole, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn and Antonio Carlos Jobim — gave me far more than beautiful melodies to admire. It was their lyrics, and the way they expressed them that truly influenced how I interpret and deliver music. I studied not only their songs but their lives and careers, understanding that the way an artist lives is inseparable from the art they create. Their music was rich with culture, history, and the fabric of society, reflecting the world around them with honesty and grace. That legacy inspires me — to go beyond the notes, to honour the story within the song, and to connect with my audience through lyrics that carry meaning, depth, and the full weight of the human experience.
Faithfulness: “Happy Hour With You” feels less like a traditional single and more like stepping into a peaceful cinematic moment. What was the emotional atmosphere you wanted listeners to experience from the very first note?
MS: “Happy Hour With You” was born from the warm, inviting spirit of those happy hour momentsfound in restaurants, hotels, and cocktail lounges — those golden hours of the day where life slows down just enough to be savoured. From the very first note, I wanted listeners to feel that sense of ease and joy, to be transported to a place filled with great music, culinary delights, and the clinking of fine cocktails and wines. Beyond the atmosphere, the song carries a deeper emotional truth —happy hour is one of the last remaining spaces where people truly connect in person, where conversations flow freely and relationships are nurtured in ways that no text message or online platform could ever replicate. I wanted the song to feel like that experience itself — warm, unhurried, and deeply human.
Faithfulness: The line “Three o’clock is kind, so leave your cares behind” feels incredibly intentional and almost philosophical. Was there a personal realization or life experience that inspired that lyric?
MS: The lyrical phrase “Three o’clock is kind, so leave your cares behind” rhymes. Three o’clock is that golden hour when happy hour begins — that magical window where the world gives you permission to drop everything, exhale, and simply be. For me, it was also personal. I was searching for an escape, a place where I could leave my worries behind and claim a quiet moment of quality time for myself. “Leave your cares behind” carries that philosophical weight — it is an invitation to let go, to step away from the rush and the noise, and to be fully present in a moment of joy, good food, relaxing music, great company, and genuine human connection.
Faithfulness: During a time where so much of modern life feels rushed and emotionally disconnected, what inspired you to create a song centered around slowing down and rebuilding genuine human connection?
MS: The inspiration came from simply paying attention to the world around me and feeling a deep concern for what I saw. Modern life has gifted us with remarkable technology and convenience, yet in many ways it has quietly stolen something far more precious — our ability to truly connect with one another on a human level. We live in an age where a person can send a hundred messages in a day and still feel profoundly alone, where online interaction has become a substitute for the warmth of real presence and genuine conversation. The joy of sharing a meal, a laugh, a moment of real presence is still the most nourishing experience life has to offer.
Faithfulness: I love how the song reimagines the historical meaning of “happy hour” through a modern jazz perspective focused on presence rather than escape. What drew you toward exploring that concept creatively?
MS: What drew me toward that concept was a desire to reclaim and honour the original spirit of happy hour and restore its deeper meaning through the lens of modern jazz. Historically, happy hour was never truly about escape — it was about arrival, about showing up fully and being present in a shared moment of joy and connection. Modern jazz gave me the perfect creative vehicle because at its core, jazz has always been about presence — about listening, responding, and living fully in the moment. That philosophy and that creative vision became the heartbeat of the song.
Faithfulness: Vocally, your performance feels both intimate and effortless, almost as though you’re speaking directly into the listener’s thoughts. How do you approach phrasing and emotional delivery when recording a song this delicate?
MS: When recording a song as delicate as this, my approach is rooted in authenticity and stillness. I allowed myself to fully inhabit the story of the song, letting the lyrics breathe and speak as naturally as a conversation between two people. For me, phrasing is everything — knowing when to linger on a word, when to pull back, and when to let silence do the talking is just as important as the notes themselves.
Faithfulness: The instrumentation carries a warm, glowing atmosphere that feels nostalgic yet contemporary at the same time. What conversations did you have with the musicians or producers to achieve that balance sonically?
MS: Achieving that balance between nostalgia and contemporary feeling was a conversation built around a shared love for the music. When I sat down with my producer, I wanted the instrumentation to inhabit — warm, glowing, and inviting, like the soft light of a late afternoon that feels both familiar and fresh. The conversation allows the music to breathe and live in the present moment. That delicate balance — where a melody can feel like a cherished memory and a brand new discovery all at once.
Faithfulness: Releasing this single during Jazz Appreciation Month and near International Jazz Day feels incredibly symbolic. How important was the timing of this release in relation to the message you wanted the song to carry?
MS: Happy Hour With You” represents the purest distillation of my artistic philosophy because it embodies everything without compromise or pretence. Throughout my catalog, I have always been drawn to creating music that serves as an emotional refuge — a sanctuary where people can retreat from the noise of the world and find something true and restorative waiting for them. This song reflects my lifelong love of classic jazz standards, the gentle sophistication of the bossa nova, and the modern sounds of contemporary jazz, all woven together into something that feels both timeless and personal. More than any other song in my catalog, “Happy Hour With You” heals, uplifts, connects, and reminds every listener that beauty, warmth, and genuine human presence are always worth celebrating.
Faithfulness: Across your catalog, there’s a recurring sense of emotional refuge and timeless elegance. In what ways do you feel “Happy Hour With You” represents the purest version of your artistic philosophy so far?
MS: Of all the music I have created throughout my career, “Happy Hour With You” feels like the song where every dimension of my artistic philosophy converges most naturally and completely. The emotional refuge wrapped in warm melodies, honest lyrics, and a sonic atmosphere that invites the listener to exhale and simply feel. It is a song that heals, entertains, and connects all at once, which has always been my hope and goal as an artist.
Faithfulness: After listeners spend three and a half minutes inside the world of “Happy Hour With You,” what feeling or realization do you hope stays with them long after the music fades?
MS: After those three and a half minutes come to a close, my deepest hope is that the listener walks away carrying a quiet but powerful realization — that the most meaningful moments in life are not found in the rush, but in the stillness. I want them to feel that warm, lingering sense of joy that only comes from being truly present, the kind that reminds you how nourishing it is to slow down, connect with someone you care about, and allow yourself to simply enjoy being alive. More than anything, I hope the song plants a gentle seed of intention — an inner nudge that inspires them to pick up the phone and call a friend, to meet someone for a drink, to look away from their screen, and rediscover the irreplaceable beauty of face to face human connection.
Faithfulness: Finally, as someone who continues to preserve the emotional soul of jazz while introducing it to modern audiences, what excites you most about the future of your artistry and the stories you still want to tell?
MS: What excites me most about the future is the boundless territory of stories that still live within me, waiting for the right melody and chords to set them free. Jazz has always been a living, breathing art form. I see my role as both a guardian of that tradition and a bridge to new audiences who are only just discovering its transformative power. There are still many chapters of the human experience I want to explore through my music — stories of love, resilience, joy, the human condition, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. I am energized to bring the healing and connective power of jazz to listeners who need it most.
In conclusion:
The vocalist breaths life into a composition, to take a melody and transform it into something deeply human through the power of words. Without lyrics, a song remains incomplete, like a conversation left unfinished. I have the freedom to share the art of storytelling, giving voice to document life itself, the everyday experiences that define our shared humanity.
CHECK OUT THE RELEASE OF ‘Happy Hour With You’
HAVING LISTENED TO ‘Happy Hour With You’, HERE ARE MY HONEST THOUGHTS
“Happy Hour With You” is a sophisticated display of jazz craftsmanship that thrives on elegance, balance, and subtlety. Built around a relaxed mid-tempo groove, the arrangement unfolds with remarkable patience, allowing its soft piano textures, understated percussion, and rich harmonic layers to breathe naturally. The walking rhythm provides a gentle sense of motion, while delicate instrumental accents add depth without disturbing the song’s tranquil atmosphere. Vocally, Solena delivers with effortless refinement, her honeyed tone blending seamlessly into the arrangement rather than dominating it. Her phrasing feels fluid and conversational, reflecting the restraint and intimacy associated with classic jazz vocal traditions. The production maintains exceptional clarity, creating a warm sonic environment reminiscent of timeless lounge recordings. Drawing inspiration from traditional jazz while embracing contemporary polish, “Happy Hour With You” succeeds through atmosphere and musical precision, proving that sophistication and emotional resonance often emerge from the quietest moments.
~ Faithfulness (Dulaxi Team)
Finally to our audience, I urge to listen to “Happy Hour With You”, add it to your playlist and be Inspired by it and on behalf of Dulaxi I like to appreciate you all by saying thank you everyone, See you on our next interview.
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