In most of Latin America, if you’re by the sea, there is bound to be a place called Miramar very close by. It will typically have a postcard view of the sea – and if music is playing, chances are that it will be boleros: the romantic music genre that originated in Cuba at the turn of the 20th century.

When Puerto Rican singer Reinaldo Alvarez was looking to name a new project inspired by boleros he searched for something simple that would be familiar to Spanish speakers; a name that would reflect the humble poetry of everyday life. Miramar seemed perfect: a romantic snapshot of a place both close and far away from home. 

Miramar, the group, aims to capture that poetry through their music with new interpretations of classic boleros and original songs steeped in all the variations out of the bolero tradition. They are associated with the Nuevo Romantico movement and carry the torch of Bolero-Beat, a popular genre of the late 60’s defined for its blend of boleros with a touch of psychedelic funk music. 

The band is led by the incomparable singing duo Laura Ann Singh with Rei Alvarez - who is also the group’s songwriter - and pianist/arranger Marlysse Simmons-Argandona. They often perform with the addition of strings which has led to regular collaborations of local string players while on tour around the globe.  Miramar was also a feature artist with The Richmond Symphony during the 2020-21 season. 

Miramar has performed across the United States, Europe and most recently completed a two-week embassy sponsored tour of Russia.  They are recipients of the MidAtlantic Arts Foundation USArtist International grant and have released albums on two of Brooklyn’s most famed indie-labels, Barbès and Daptone Records.  They have performed at NYC’s globalFest and Lincoln Center’s ‘Out of Doors’ and been featured on a variety of NPR programs such as Tiny Desk and All Songs Considered. 

Look for their new full length album coming on Ansonia Records, October 2024.