Mañana (CEN/Red via Sony Music, 2014)
Canadian singer and songwriter Amanda Martínez is one of the great new voices in Spanish-language Latin music. She has a new album titled Mañana (tomorrow). The primary focus is Latin pop infused with world music essence. Spanish flamenco co-producer and guitarist Javier Limón adds a touch of flamenco, rumba, jazz and Afro-Cuban music. There are also elements of Mexican folk music inherited from Amanda’s father’s side of the family.
The most captivating cuts are the exquisite bolero ‘No hay distancia’ where slow-cadence Cuban rhythms meet sensuous Mexico; ‘Tenemos de todo’ where you’ll find flamenco guitar and palmas (flamenco handclap percussion), and the passionate Mexican essence of ‘Ahora te canto’ and ‘Que bonita es esta vida.’
Amanda Martinez’s CD release concert will, take place at New York City’s Joe’s Pub on Friday May 2 at 7pm. Her New York concert, named “Ciclo de Mayo” also celebrates her father Gustavo Martinez’s life-changing trip from Mexico City to Toronto, 80 days by bicycle in 1956, the subject of the recent documentary, Ciclo.
“Music is such a powerful force,” says Amanda. “It can not only really change my mood but also give me new perspectives on things. So what I’d like to bring to the listener is a sense of hope. Every day is an opportunity to try something different and look at a challenge in a new way.”
Amanda Martinez was once the Associate Director of Trade Finance for Latin America at TD Bank, but the baking industry was not what she was passionate about so she walked away.
The daughter of a Mexican father (an engineer) and a South African mother (a teacher), Amanda Martínez grew up in Toronto, speaking English and Spanish, and listening to her father´s eclectic record collection.
Amanda’s recorded released Sola (2006) and Amor (2009), which earned her nominations as Latin Jazz Artist of the Year at Canada’s National Jazz Awards and won her Best World Music Artist at Toronto’s Independent Music Awards. She also performed before 30,000 people at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa (appropriately before the Mexico-South Africa match) and recorded and toured with Canadian smooth jazz guitarist Jesse Cook. Complementing her work as a singer, Amanda also hosted Café Latino on Toronto’s JAZZFM91 radio for three years, and continues to work in film and television.
Amanda Martinez touring band includes Kevin Laliberte (guitar), Chendy Leon (percussion) Paco Luviano (bass), and Alexander Brown (trumpet)
Upcoming concerts:
Friday, May 2 – New York, NY at Joe’s Pub / “Ciclo” de Mayo CD release party 7:00pm
Wednesday, May 21 – Chicago, IL at Old Town School of Music
Thursday, May 22 – Cleveland, OH at Nighttown
Buy Mañana
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
