 Barbara
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On February 27, 2010 Barbara Martinez did a solo concert in the Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, presented by World Krystal Productions. As part of a vocalist series she sang and danced in a program of old and new flamenco, infused with Latin and jazz, performing to a sold out house accompanied by guitarist Pedro Cortes, percussionist/dancer Jose Moreno and bassist Sean Kupisz. Barbara, who has a long and rich experience with music and theater since childhood, has spent recent years focusing on flamenco cante in all its forms, from the cante jondo to the more popular contemporary styles of rumba and bulerias. She excited to be working on a solo project, leading a group of talented musicians from all over the world in an eclectic new repertoire that includes flamenco, Brazilian, jazz and funk. She is preparing a debut album with some of these songs, as well as originals. Barbara performs can be seen in various weekly venues in New York City. Born in Venezuela to a family of artists, Barbara grew up in New York City, where she started performing in opera, off-Broadway and film at age 10. She currently sings with Pasion y Arte Flamenco Company, Andrea del Conte Danza Espana, Arts Flamenco, Edwin Aparicio Flamenco Company, Spirit of Sepharad and dances with The Oscar Valero Company and Spirit of Sepharad. She also sings for Pilar Rioja at El Repertorio Espanol and danced as a soloist in festivals at Lincoln Center, Town Hall and Symphony Space, and danced in several productions of La Traviata and Carmen at The Metropolitan Opera. She is very excited to be taking her own flamenco fusion group to Carnegie Hall on Saturday, February 27, 2010. Barbara can be heard singing in Arabic, Ladino and Persian in Spirit of Sepharad/Caravan with Gerard Edery and acclaimed musicians Glen Velez and Ara Djinkan, among others. She can also be seen with Plural, the creation of Venezuelan Grammy-nominated composer Gonzalo Grau, with solo flamenco guitarist Juanito Pascual (and on his latest CD), and with the Alex Conde Quintet. Barbara is also a founding member of Fortvna Productions, which has staged a trilogy of musical plays by Amelia Arenas: Hell, Confessions and Dreams based on the writings of Dante Alighieri, St. Augustine and Sigmund Freud. She can be heard singing in Arabic, Ladino and Persian in Spirit of Sepharad/Caravan with Gerard Edery and acclaimed musicians Glen Velez and Ara Djinkan, among others. She can also be seen with Plural, the creation of Venezuelan Grammy-nominated composer Gonzalo Grau, with solo flamenco guitarist Juanito Pascual (and oon his latest CD), and with the Alex Conde Quintet. Bárbara is also a founding member of Fortvna Productions, which has staged a trilogy of musical plays by Amelia Arenas: Hell, Confessions and Dreams based on the writings of Dante Alighieri, St. Augustine and Sigmund Freud. Barbara has had the pleasure of working with artists such as Marco de Ana, Triana Bautista, La Conja, Pedro Cortes, El Costi, Alfonso Cid, Ara Djinkan, Gonzalo Grau, Jayme Hadaad, Antonio Hidalgo, Carmen LaSalao, Luis Miguel Manzano, La Meira, Maria Montilla, Jose Moreno, Jorge Navarro, Raul Ortega, La Repompa, Nino de los Reyes, Ruben El Viejo, Pilar Rioja, Stan Strickland, Nelida Tirado, Grammy-winner flutist Dave Valentine, Luis Vargas and Glen Velez. Barbara recently had the honor of teaching master classes for The Cirque du Soleil and New England Conservatory. In 2008, Barbara received a scholarship from the famed Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville, Spain for advanced study in flamenco singing. She has also studied jazz voice and theory with Barry Harris, acting at The New York Actor's Conservatory and early music education (Kodaly) at New York University. Barbara is an Honors graduate of Brown University. Barbara is an Honors graduate of Brown University (Class of 1998), where she doubled up on Comparative Literature and Visual Arts. |
"A simply mesmerizing show...seamless blending of music, voice, movement...absolutely enchanting...stunning performance..."
"Something fresh" "[Among] the extraordinary singers [were] the achingly beautiful flamenco sounds of Barbara Martinez." "The high point for me was the vocalist Barbara Martinez. She is a charming presence on stage." "Barbara Martinez, of the serene disposition and the elegantly pleasing lines." "Barbara Martinez is considered one of the most important representatives of flamenco" |
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