Maria Rita, born Maria Rita Camargo Mariano on September 9, 1977, in São Paulo, Brazil, is a celebrated singer renowned for her contributions to Música Popular Brasileira (MPB), jazz, and samba. Daughter of the legendary Elis Regina and esteemed pianist César Camargo Mariano, Maria Rita embarked on her professional singing career at 24, following studies in Social Communication and Latin American Studies at New York University. Her self-titled debut album in 2003 achieved platinum status, earning her three Latin Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. With a distinctive vocal style influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Maria Rita has released multiple acclaimed albums, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in contemporary Brazilian music. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Rita?utm_source=openai))