Amanda Martinez

Valentine's Day Show

Described by World Music Central as “one of the great new voices in Spanish language Latin music”,  Amanda Martinez has been embraced by audiences all over the world with five highly acclaimed albums to her credit: Sola, Amor, Mañana, Libre and most recently, Recuerdo.

Her highly anticipated latest album, Recuerdo, launched worldwide last July. Produced by her longtime guitarist and co-writer, Kevin Laliberté and co-produced by her husband, bassist, Drew Birston, it is a daring adventure that incorporates elements of world fusion, Cuban rhythms and an injection of pop that is her most personal to date. It is dedicated to the memory of her father, Gustavo, who bicycled to Toronto from Mexico in 1956 and from whom she says, “I got my love of music”. “He always spoke about how much there was that he still wanted to do,” Amanda remembers. “He said ‘life was about simple things, there is always more music to enjoy, good wine to taste and love to savour.’ ”  One of the songs, “Todavía”, on the album is penned with her father’s words in mind while others are reflections of her past and future.

Amanda Martinez has sold out Ottawa’s National Arts Centre and Toronto’s Koerner Hall and Winter Garden Theatre. She has performed internationally including the Dubai International Jazz Festival (with Jesse Cook), at 2010’s FIFA World Cup Festivities in South Africa and the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara and at New York City’s highly-esteemed Blue Note Jazz Club.

A favourite of the world music Putamayo label, Martinez has appeared on six collections including Bossanova Around The World, Latin Dreamland, Café Latino, Mexico, and Bossa Nova. Amanda’s undeniable charisma and stage presence make her concerts must-see experiences.

Named The Toronto Independent Music Awards’ Best World Music Artist and Latin Awards Canada’s Composer of the Year – as well as multiple nominations at the National Jazz Awards and Canadian Folk Music Awards – Martinez has also composed songs for the 2023 PBS animated pre-school children’s comedy, Rosie’s Rules, while simultaneously providing the voice of the Rosie’s Abuela.  Amanda also works as an actress in film and television straddling both comedy and drama.