Amanda Martinez

“She captures the raw emotion and passion of Latin music in a way that’s well beyond her years.” –CBC Radio

Amanda Martinez is a singer, actor, broadcaster and presenter. The launch of her debut recording, Sola (2006) firmly establishes her as Canada’s Latin singer to watch.

Sola, which means “on her own,” garnered Best World Music Artist of the Year at the Toronto Independent Music Awards (2006), and is a top selling album in Toronto stores. It wowed Latin music aficionados, among them Grammy Award nominated jazz musician, Jane Bunnett.

“I love Amanda’s record Sola,” says Bunnett. “She has such a soulful, moving voice.”

Martinez began her musical career singing jazz standards, but she quickly discovered audiences thrilled to her dramatic, sensual interpretations of Latin styles and Brazilian bossa nova. She came by her love of this music honestly.

“Music is in my blood. It was always a part of family gatherings,” says Martinez, who has made multiple trips to both Mexico and Cuba. “My family – my father is Mexican, and my mother is South African -- saturated me with the music of Cuban trovadores, people like Pablo Milanes, Sylvio Rodriguez, and greats like Mercedes Sosa, Elis Regina and Chavela Vargas.”

Martinez, whose work can be filed alongside of innovative singers Lhasa and Lila Downs, arrived at her unique blend of passionate, acoustic Latin music circuitously. She has a Bachelor of Science (University of Western Ontario) and a Masters in International Business (York University). But she chose the performer’s life because she wanted to make a direct, intense connection with people. Her career to date has been profiled by CBC Radio’s Big City, Small World and Metro Morning, and by television stations Bravo, Telelatino, and Rogers.

Acting provides another showcase for Martinez’s charisma and talent. She’s held principal roles on television shows including Train 48, This is Wonderland, Due South and the Disney series Life with Derek, and a role in Atom Egoyan’s film Calendar kick started her film career.

Since her arrival on the Latin-Canadian music scene in 2001, Martinez has also been sought after as a presenter, hosting Bravo TV’s Live at the Rehearsal Hall, (interviewing songwriter Ben Harper, among others), CITYtv’s Ontario Lottery Tonight, as well as concerts at Lula Lounge and Harbourfront Centre.

Her vital presence in Toronto’s Latin community (she hosts the weekly, popular Café Latino radio show on JAZZFM.91) led to NOW magazine’s nickname: “The Oprah of Latin Music.” Currently Martinez is celebrating the inclusion of her song Diciembre on CBC Records’ new release, Sounds of the Season, and her upcoming debut video, set to air on Bravo in early 2007.