Garifuna guitarist and singer-songwriter Aurelio Martinez is set to perform on February 2 – 3, 2016 at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle. The lineup for the concert includes Aurelio Martinez on lead vocals and guitar, Benigno Guerrero on bass and vocals, Denton Figueroa on shaker and vocals, Charles Garcia on Garifuna drum and Philip Garcia on Garifuna drum.
Aurelio Martinez is one of Central America’s most talented performers. Born in Honduras, Aurelio is a leading tradition-bearer of the Garifuna culture that draws from its African and Caribbean Indian roots. The original home of the Garifuna people is St. Vincent in the West Indies, from which they were deported in 1796 by the British government. They landed on Roatán Island, located in the Bay of Honduras and later migrated to the neighboring main lands of Central America.
In 2004, Aurelio released his first solo album called Garifuna Soul backed by some of Belize and Honduras’ finest studio musicians.
Two years later, in 2006, Aurelio took on a new role as a politician in the Honduran National Congress, and became the first Garifuna deputy of his region as well as the first black congressman in the country’s national history. As a politician, Aurelio’s main goal was to represent and support the Garifuna people through concrete manifestation that would protect their integrity as a whole.
In 2011Aurelio released his second album, Laru Beya a compilation of soulful songs linking back to African roots. After his debut in the African scene, Aurelio made a return to his musical roots with his third album Lándini featuring as its main theme, a traditional Garifuna community way of life.
Show times Tues. and Weds. at 7:30 p.m. Doors at 6:00 p.m.
The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
2033 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98121
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
