 Barbara
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Barbara Martinez has had a long and rich experience with music and theater since childhood. 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 has spent the past several years dedicated to flamenco song and dance, from the cante jondo to the more popular contemporary styles of rumba and bulerias. Recently receiving a scholarship from the famed Cristina Heeren Foundation, she continued studies advanced studies in flamenco singing in Seville, Spain. Other studies include jazz with Barry Harris in New York City and world music at Brown University. On February 27, 2010 Barbara sang and danced in a solo concert at Carnegie Hall, performing a program of old and new flamenco, infused with Latin and jazz to a sold out house. Musicians included guitarist Pedro Cortes, percussionist/dancer Jose Moreno and bassist Sean Kupisz. Barbara is thrilled to be working on a solo project, in collaboration with Grammy-nominated composer Gonzalo Grau, bringing together her passion for flamenco, jazz, Latin music and paying tribute her grandmother, the late Morenita Rey. Barbara has performed with Pasion y Arte Flamenco Company, Andrea del Conte Danza Espana, Arts Flamenco, Edwin Aparicio Flamenco Company, Spirit of Sepharad, Oscar Valero Company and Spirit of Sepharad, and has appeared in Panama Jazz Festival, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors, Town Hall, Symphony Space and The Metropolitan Opera. She 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, Grammy-nominee Venissa Santi, Pilar Rioja, Stan Strickland, Nelida Tirado, Grammy-winner flutist Dave Valentine, Luis Vargas and Glen Velez. She 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 recently had the honor of teaching master classes for The Cirque du Soleil and New England Conservatory. She also studied 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 (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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